Srinagar, Dec 14 : Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered a detailed inquiry into the halting of Vande Bharat Express at Pulwama Railway Station.
In a letter accessed by the news agency, the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Pulwama, Waheed ur Rehman Para raised concerns regarding the non-stop operation of the Vande Bharat Express at the district’s station.
The Railway Minister, responding to the letter, assured Parra that he has directed the relevant Directorate to conduct a thorough inquiry into the reasons behind the halt of the semi-high-speed train at the Pulwama Railway Station.
“Thank you for your letter dated 29.11.2024. Instructions have been given to the concerned Directorate to conduct a detailed investigation into the stoppage of Vande Bharat Express at Pulwama Railway Station mentioned in your letter,” the Minister said in his reply to MLA Parra.
Earlier, MLA Pulwama Waheed Para had urged Railway Ministry to establish Vande Bharat Express stop at Awantipora
Para had said the location is home to AIIMS, Awantipora airfield, university, industrial hub, and said the area is vital for south Kashmir’s connectivity and development.
“Strongly urging for a Vande Bharat Express stop at Awantipora, Pulwama! Home to AIIMS, Awantipora Airfield, a major university, and a growing industrial hub, this stop is vital for South Kashmir’s connectivity and development. Requesting @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji and @RailMinIndia to consider Pulwama’s strategic importance,” Para had said in a post on ‘X’
“Awantipora is strategically located and culturally significant. Ignoring it on the rail map deprives locals of modern connectivity and limits economic opportunities,” Para remarked.
The Vande Bharat Express is considered a symbol of progress and modernisation in India’s railway system. The decision to not include Pulwama as a scheduled stop has sparked debate and concerns, especially among locals of south Kashmir.
