Chandigarh, Feb 17: Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu has announced the introduction of a Vande Bharat sleeper train service between Delhi and Amritsar, scheduled to commence operations next winter. The high-speed sleeper service is designed to enhance long-distance travel comfort and will follow a route through Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar.
The Minister shared these details while visiting Doraha to initiate a long-awaited infrastructure project. To support the upcoming rail service, authorities have identified land at Ladhowal, situated near Ludhiana, for the construction of a necessary loco-shed. Such facilities are mandatory at terminal points to ensure the maintenance and operational readiness of the rolling stock.
“The train will travel via Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jalandhar,” Bittu stated during the announcement. He maintained that the new connectivity would be a significant addition to the region’s transport network.
The announcement coincided with the foundation stone-laying ceremony for a Railway Overbridge (ROB) at Level Crossing No. 164-AB near the Doraha railway station. This project aims to resolve persistent traffic congestion and improve safety for local commuters. Officials from Northern Railway were present to mark the start of the construction, which has faced administrative delays in the past.
The bridge is expected to streamline movement between Chandigarh and the Malwa region. Senior officials noted that the project is part of a broader effort to improve rail-road integration and ensure smoother vehicular flow across busy intersections in the Ludhiana district.
