Bittu addressed the media and acknowledged the sustained demand from local representatives.
Ferozepur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express to Halt at Barnala, Boosting Connectivity in Punjab
Ravneet Singh Bittu, Union Minister of State for Railways, announced on Wednesday in the Parliament House complex that the Union Government has approved a new stoppage for the Ferozepur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express at Barnala railway station. This is a significant development for rail connectivity in Punjab. Bittu said that the approval is a response to longstanding demands from regional political leaders and is expected to benefit the economy of several districts across central and southern Punjab.
Bittu said that the decision to add a stoppage at Barnala is an outcome of persistent presentations by leaders across political parties, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Rajender Gupta, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kewal Singh Dhillon, who had urged the Railways to grant a stop for the premium train at Barnala.
Bittu addressed the media and acknowledged the sustained demand from local representatives. He said, “My party has told me that I should not go to Punjab till the Barnala stoppage for the Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat train is approved. I’m happy to announce that the approval has come today and the train will stop at Barnala.” He highlighted that this addition would bring a wide-ranging positive impact on the economy of Barnala, Mansa, Malerkotla and Sangrur districts.
The Vande Bharat Express, one of Indian Railways’ fastest and most modern intercity services, connects Ferozepur with the national capital and has been operational since earlier this year. The minister said that its route passes through important junctions, helping passengers from the Malwa region access Delhi with reduced travel time. Though originally the train did not have a scheduled halt at Barnala, local campaigning intensified after the service commenced.
Bittu said that the new stoppage is expected to enhance passenger convenience, improve access to the national capital for smaller towns along the route and strengthen regional economic integration by fostering better trade and mobility links between central Punjab and other parts of the country.
Source: The Tribune
