Will Rajasthan's Major Cities Soon Be Free from Railway Gates?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Major cities in Rajasthan will eliminate railway gates.
- New overnight train service from Delhi to Jaisalmer.
- Jaipur will have a large-scale train maintenance facility.
- New Vande Bharat trains are on the way from Jodhpur and Bikaner to Delhi.
- Initiatives to support local industry and tourism are underway.
Jaipur, Sep 11 (NationPress) Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday that significant cities in Rajasthan will soon eliminate railway gates. A detailed strategy has been devised for the state and is set to be enacted in the next two to three months.
Additionally, plans are in motion to introduce an overnight train connecting Delhi and Jaisalmer to enhance connectivity and promote tourism, as stated by the Minister.
During his brief visit to Jaipur, Minister Vaishnaw was received warmly at the Khatipura railway station by railway officials and community representatives.
He evaluated the Integrated Coach Complex and the Rail Coach Restaurant at the station, also reviewing the model for the forthcoming coach maintenance complex.
The Minister mentioned that Jaipur will soon house a large-scale maintenance facility that can accommodate 12 to 18 trains simultaneously, including the Vande Bharat trains. "This will facilitate the launch of new train services from Jaipur in the future," he stated.
He also disclosed that plans for new Vande Bharat trains from Jodhpur and Bikaner to Delhi are in the advanced planning stages.
"The Jodhpur–Delhi Vande Bharat will commence shortly, followed by the Bikaner–Delhi service," he informed.
Emphasizing the significance of Jaisalmer as a tourism destination, he mentioned that the ministry is exploring the feasibility of an overnight train service from Delhi to Jaisalmer.
"Jaisalmer is Rajasthan's heritage gem. A proposal for this new service will soon be presented before the ministry," he added.
The Minister also discussed plans to establish cargo and multipurpose terminals to bolster industry, improve fencing along tracks, and remove railway gates in major cities. "This initiative will provide long-term relief to the public from traffic disruptions," he noted.
Later that day, Minister Vaishnaw visited the newly inaugurated building of Laghu Udyog Bharti in Jagatpura, where Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa and Cabinet Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore were present.
He also honored the recipients of the startup and innovation awards.
Accompanying him during the tour were public representatives, including Jaipur MP Manju Sharma, Civil Lines MLA Gopal Sharma, and Jaipur Mayor Saumya Gurjar.
At 3:30 p.m., the Railway Minister is set to inspect the redevelopment efforts at the second entry of Jaipur Junction and later assess progress at Gandhinagar Jaipur railway station.