Full-fledged preparations have been made for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to Punjab. He is scheduled to open 75 modern railway stations across India on July 17.
The new Jalandhar Cantt station is a main part of this plan. On Monday, the Jalandhar Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner went to the station and checked all security setups and ground arrangements to make sure the event goes well without any trouble.
This visit will bring big benefits for the Doaba region. As part of the program, Prime Minister Modi will flag off a new special train, named the Shri Sant Ravidas Express. It will run between Amritsar’s Chheharta and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Officials from the Railway Board said this train (14624/14623) will run three days a week. It will use new LHB coaches so that passengers get a comfortable ride.
Officials said that workers have given a modern look to the station area. They have also set up a huge waterproof tent inside the complex. Local officials checking the spot said they did this to save people from sudden rain or bad weather. This will keep the main event safe, and regular passengers will not face any problems.
The new station has many modern features for regular travelers. Engineers have built a very wide air concourse of 1,770 square meters. This will give people plenty of room to walk and sit. They have also started new lifts and escalators to help old people, patients, and disabled travelers. A 40-meter-wide steel roof now covers a 200-meter section of the platform.
Passengers can now enter the station from two different sides. There is a new 300-square-meter building on the second side. Outside, a large 4,855-square-meter parking ground has been made for cars and bikes. Recently, Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu also visited the spot. Since then, top railway teams and local police have put up heavy barricades on all main roads. Extra security forces will guard the station until the PM’s event finishes.