Besides announcing a proposed rail link connecting Chandigarh with Jagadhri and Yamunanagar, the Railway Minister also included the city in the list of 50 stations that will be upgraded to world-class standards on a public-private-partnership model.

“It is a people-friendly budget. Chandigarh will be developed as a world-class railway station with international facilities. The proposal has been accepted after a long wait,” said Ambala Divisional Railway Manager H K Jaggi.

Also, the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh town weekly special train (0534) has been given the status of a ‘regular’ train, It will, henceforth, run permanently on the route. Jaggi added that the Ambala station and Ambala Cantonment station would be en route two new trains—Amritsar-Sealdah Express and Sri Ganga Nagar-Nanded Express.

The reduction in ‘Tatkal’ charges from Rs 150 to Rs 100 has also generated a good response from city residents.

On the proposal to make doctors available onboard long-distance trains, Station Superintendent R K Datta said: “It is a good move as long journeys in trains like Kerala Smapark Kranti Express can sometimes prove risky for the ailing and the elderly.”

Sops for Kalka
A Rs-5 crore budget has been sanctioned for the Kalka railway station. Besides, it will get a new platform and a modern signalling system.