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The Vande Bharat Express train (22489/22490), which previously operated from Meerut to Lucknow, is now extended to Varanasi via Shri Ayodhya Dham. The Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has approved this extension. The train has also been allocated a two-minute halt at Hapur railway station. This is advantageous for passengers from Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Shamli, and other adjoining districts. This extension was made on the suggestion of UP Minister of State and Muzaffarnagar Sadar MLA Kapil Dev Agarwal.
Minister of State Kapil Dev Agarwal mentioned that the residents of Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Saharanpur, Shamli, Hapur, Baghpat, and Bulandshahr faced challenges traveling to Shri Ayodhya Dham and Varanasi because direct train services were only available from Meerut to Lucknow. Ashwini Vaishnav said they were working on direct trains between different regions for easier travel.
Consequently, the Minister of Railways granted the request and he also sent a letter notifying about it. This train will now operate from Meerut to Varanasi via Shri Ayodhya Dham. An announcement regarding the revised schedule will be issued shortly. Kapil Dev Agarwal remarked that this decision will greatly help passengers and pilgrims from this region. Furthermore, the travelers from there will also directly benefit by having a two-minute halt at Hapur.
Vande Bharat operated between Meerut and Lucknow a year back.
As we know, on August 31, 2024, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vande Bharat train service between Meerut and Lucknow. But the residents from the district were disheartened because it did not have a stop at Hapur railway station. People from the district along with other railway passengers had appealed to MP Arun Govil, ex MP Rajendra Agarwal, Minister in charge Kapil Dev Agarwal to provide a stop of this train at Hapur so that people not only from Hapur but also from Bulandshahr district and nearby regions could be benefitted. The route for the train has now been modified as it will also proceed to Varanasi in addition to Lucknow.
Travelers to Varanasi Will Have Greater Access
Given this scenario, the express would be beneficial for those traveling to Varanasi and Ayodhya. After public representatives disabled the train, the Railway Ministry invoked a divisional level report concerning the train’s stoppage which was forwarded to the Ministry. Preliminary assessment was conducted by the Operations and Commercial departments on the feasibility of train halting in Hapur recently. That report was brought to the Railway Board. The moment people from the district received the news about the train stoppage on Wednesday evening, happiness spread throughout the region. Merchants and advocates and also railway commuters showered thanks on the public leaders for their actions.
Vande Bharat Train Suffers From Stone Pelting For The Second Time
On the reverse side, the Vande Bharat train servicing Prayagar to Gorakhpur has suffered another stone pelting incident. Fortunately, no one has received any injuries as a result. The RPF has commenced investigations as per the tip-off. The Vande Bharat express was a victim of stone pelting as it crossed the double gate after leaving Raebareli station.
Train incidents of stone pelting have once again come to light. The loco pilot reported the incident to RPF at Lucknow station. As per the informant's statement, RPF Arvind Singh Singh was already informed about the stone pelting incidents. Singh remarked that he will check the CCTV footage for the specified date, and investigate the circumstances around the stone pelting, and thereafter he would hold the stone pelter in custody. The Vande Bharat train experiences such incidences almost every time it is in operation. Although there was an arrest made during one such incident, similar arrests do not seem to curb the problem.
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