Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Jan 9: Signaling the end of wait and setting into motion the job on much talked about Jammu Railway Division project, announced around two years ago, General Manager, Northern Railway, conducted inspection of proposed sites for the office of Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) and new Good Terminal, here today.
The top officer, A K Puthia, visited Jammu Tawi, Bari Brahmana and Bajalta Railway Stations for inspection of the proposed sites for new DRM office and relocating the Goods Terminal, official sources told the Excelsior.
Two sites, Jammu Tawi Railway Station and Bajalta Station, were inspected for setting up proposed DRM office while for the Goods Terminal, possibilities were explored for relocating the same to Bari Brahmana or Bajalta Station, sources explained.
Mr Puthia was accompanied by Divisional Railway Manager of Ferozpur Division, Anuj Prakash Kumar, who apprised him about the ongoing developmental works in Jammu area.
It may be recalled that the announcement for creating new Railway Division at Jammu and delinking it from the present Ferozpur Division of Northern Railways, was made around two years back. However, there was no visible progress so far, in this regard.
According to the sources, Mr Puthia visited Jammu with a specific purpose to explore and discuss the possibilities of relocating the Goods Terminal of Jammu Tawi to new and convenient location, besides identifying the site for the proposed office of DRM Jammu.
Soon after reaching here this morning, sources said, the officer conducted survey for possible site for new DRM office in Jammu Tawi area itself and relocating the Goods terminal, most probably to Bari Brahmana, which was also visited for the purpose. Thereafter, the GM visited Bajalta Railway Station for identifying the site for DRM office and also for Good Terminal.
Even as final decision on the sites would be taken after detailed deliberations, sources hint that Jammu Tawi is likely to be selected for DRM office and Bari Brahmana for new Goods Terminal.
Pertinent to mention that relocating of Goods Terminal to new location would greatly help in decongesting the Jammu Tawi Railway Station complex and create space for new coaching terminals at Jammu itself. This would also provide scope for second entry to the Station premises besides decreasing the pollution level in the area as Cement and Fertilizer traffic will no longer come to Jammu Tawi Station. Last but not the least, this would also suit the traders, who are important clients for Railways as they would have comparatively easier access for the goods loading and unloading at new proposed location. at Bari Brahmana.
The new Goods terminal would be modern in design with total focus on passengers’ convenience and amenities, sources explained while highlighting its various features.
Similarly, the Jammu Railway Division will open employment opportunities for thousands of workers and will bring about drastic change in the economy of the State besides more focusing on reconstruction and modernization of the Railway here.
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