(a) whether the Government have received a request to run Deeksha train at least three days a week via Durg, Bhilai, Raipur, Vilaspur, Anuppur, Shahdole and Katni;
(b) whether thousands of pilgrims visiting Prayag, Kashi, Bodhgaya, Baijnathdham and other pilgrimages of Northern India are facing a lot of problems in the absence of direct rail services to these places; and
(c) if so, the action taken by the Government in the interest of the public in this regard ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS AND MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI O. RAJAGOPAL)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b) & (c): At present, 5159/5160 Durg-chhapra Sarnath Express via
Bhilai, Raipur, Bilaspur, Anuppur, Shahdol, Katni, Allahabad and
Varanasi are available for Allahabad (Prayag) and Varanasi
(Kashi) bound passengers of Durg-Bilaspur-Shahdol-Katni section.
Besides, Patna-Tatanagar-Bilaspur Link Express running via
Jasidih (7 kms. from Baidyanathdham) has been extended upto Durg
for three days a week via Raipur-Bhilai from 2.11.2001. However,
In a vast country like ours, it is not always possible to link
all the important places by direct train services. The passengers
desirous of travelling between the places not linked by direct
services have to bear with changeover(s) enroute. Introduction of
trains on Indian Railways is an ongoing process subject to
operational feasibility, availability of resources and traffic
justification.