New Delhi (NVI): In an effort to improve the connectivity for commuters and faster ease of movement between small towns and major cities, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on October 15 launched 09 ‘Sewa Service’ Trains along with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan by inaugurating Delhi-Shamli passenger train.
The other trains were flagged off through video-conferencing connected to the terminal stations.
Speaking on the occasion, Goyal said, “These Sewa trains will provide connectivity to the far-flung areas where stoppages of premiere trains were not possible. These trains will act as link trains to serve the common man of the country.”
Goyal pointed out that inauguration of nine Sewa passenger service trains is a unique concept, stating, “With layover rakes as a part of ‘sweating of assets’ initiative by the Indian Railways.”
The Railways has introduced five daily sewa express trains between ‘Delhi and Shamli’, ‘Bhubaneswar and Nayagarh town’, ‘Murkongselex and Dibrugarh’, ‘Kota and Jhalawar City’ and ‘Coimbatore and Palani’.
The other passenger “Sewa Service” trains between Vadnagar to Mahesana, Asarya to Himmatnagar, Karur to Salem, Yesvantpur to Tumkur and Coimbatore to Pollachi, to be run for six days a week.
“This was part of strategies of Indian Railways to have better utilization of the rolling stock without any requisition for new rolling stock,” Goyal said and thanked Prime Minister Modi for his vision to transform Railways as the engine of growth in the economic and social development of the country.”
Remembering Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, on the occasion of his birth anniversary, Goyal said, “Former President had memorable experience with Indian Railways during his childhood in Rameswaram.”
He further added, “Railways has taken transformational steps like Cleanliness campaign in Railway premises across the country, Wi-Fi facility at 5000 Railway stations, Installation of Bio toilets in coaches to clean the tracks, Ayushmann Bharat facility in Railway hospitals across the country.”
Railway Minister launched 10 Sewa services in the presence of Minister of State of Railways, Suresh Angadi, Health minister Harsh Vardhan, Lok Sabha MP Meenakshi Lekhi and other dignitaries.
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his gratitude to Railways Minister for starting a new Sewa Train from Bhubaneswar to Nayagarh. He also appreciated the significant steps taken by the Railways for the development in Odisha.
Meanwhile, at the ceremony, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan congratulated Indian railways for taking an important step in the betterment of life of common citizens of the country, stating, “the new Sewa Trains will connect small stations en route. These trains will be highly beneficial to the common people, especially those who come to metro cities for jobs and education.”
“Indian Railways has always endeavoured for providing comfortable services to its passengers. The short distance Sewa trains will be a boon to common citizens of the country,” said Suresh Angadi.
These trains will run on the “Hub and Spoke” model, thereby facilitating passengers to use these trains to reach the “Hub” for availing onward journey to other major stations. Indian Railways plans to run more trains on a similar model to serve the passengers of smaller towns and cities. These measures are also expected to boost the earnings of the Indian Railways to help in strengthening the economy.
–PS
