Poll-bound UP to get 9 more trains shortly

Besides, 142 special trains originating and terminating in the political sensitive state and 550 specials passing through UP are being pressed into service to clear extra rush due to various festivals

New Delhi, Oct 23: Ahead of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Railways, which has already introduced about 57 trains in the last two and half years in the state crucial for the BJP-led government, geared up to introduce nine more new trains including the first Humsafar service by November-end this year.

Besides, 142 special trains originating and terminating in the political sensitive state and 550 specials passing through UP are being pressed into service to clear extra rush due to various festivals such as Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhat in the current fiscal.

However, a senior Railway Ministry official said "The new trains are pressed into service catering to the demand of the people and railways does not differentiate between states." The much hyped fully AC-3 Humsafar Express for Gorakhpur will be the first among 10 Humsafar trains proposed for various states to be flagged off by railways next month in the election-bound state.

Humsafar AC-3 coaches, specially designed with enhanced aesthetics interior and a new exterior colour scheme, are also equipped with CCTV system, fire detection and prevention system and integrated Braille displays among other facilities.

Train service between Ballia-Anand Vihar, Gorakhpur-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Gorakhpur-Panvel, Gorakhpur-Bandra Terminus, Gorakhpur-Badshahnagar Intercity, Ghazipur-Kolkata, Jaunpur-Bandra Terminus, Deendayalu-Antyodaya Express between Mughalsarai-Nizamuddin via Mathura are slated to be launched in the coming days in UP.

Apart from that, 30 new coaches of Deendayalu having cushioned luggage racks, bio-toilets, potable water, mobile charging points, fire extinguisher are being planned for induction in three trains of Uttar Pradesh by Diwali.

Proposed in the Rail Budget, Deendayalau coaches with enhanced passenger amenities are meant for unreserved segment.

Catering to the growing demand, Railways is also planning to extend the service of Kamayani Express between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and Varanasi to Jaunpur in UP.

Besides, railways has provided 167 additional stoppages of several Mail/Express trains in UP in order to meet the requests from various public representatives and passenger associations.

PTI