Pathankot, 02 June (H.S.): After a wait of nearly four years, the Pathankot-Jogindernagar railway service has finally resumed, bringing significant relief to passengers travelling between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The restoration of the service was met with enthusiasm, with travelers expressing happiness on the very first day of operations.

According to railway officials, two seven-coach trains departed from Pathankot City Railway Station for Baijnath at 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Around 60 passengers availed themselves of the service on its opening day. Train operations from the Himachal Pradesh side commenced from Kangra Railway Station at 8:30 a.m.

Passengers said the train service offers a highly economical alternative to road transport. Earlier, travelling to Jogindernagar or Baijnath by bus cost between 300 and 400 rupees, whereas the train fare now ranges from just RS 25 to RS 40 per passenger.

Rajesh, a visitor from Uttar Pradesh, said the resumption of the service was a matter of great happiness. He noted that a journey to Baijnath previously cost around 340 rupees by road, while the train fare is only 35 rupee.

Loco pilot Jasbir Singh expressed his excitement about operating the train once again through the scenic valleys of Himachal Pradesh after nearly four years. He said passengers would not only benefit from affordable fares but would also enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and landscapes.

New Railway Bridge Built at a Cost of 70 Crore

Considering the importance of the route, the Ministry of Railways constructed a new modern railway bridge at a cost of approximately 70 crore to replace the damaged structure on the line. Following the completion of the bridge, railway authorities successfully carried out track inspections, safety checks, and trial runs before approving the restoration of services.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH