Western Railway Accused of Neglecting Indore

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has accused Western Railway of treating Indore like an 'orphan' due to its poor railway connectivity. In a letter to Western Railway general manager Ramashraay Pandey, Mahajan expressed deep regret over the lack of adequate railway services in the city.

Mahajan, a BJP veteran who represented Indore in the Lok Sabha eight times, pointed out that proposals for new passenger trains have been shelved. The North Western Railway had proposed trains between Jaipur and Indore, while the West Central Railway had proposed a train between Rewa and Indore, but no action was taken.

The city's residents are being treated as 'second-class passengers', Mahajan said, citing the example of a MEMU service inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021. The rakes meant for the service were taken away, and the replacement DEMU rakes frequently break down.

Mahajan also highlighted the lack of railway services between Indore and major cities like Pune, Patna, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Ayodhya. She questioned the excuse of unavailability of lines and platforms, pointing out that Indore's Laxmibai Nagar railway station has two additional platforms, and the nearby Mhow town has additional line capacity and maintenance facilities.

The former MP's allegations come after Western Railway general manager Ramashraay Pandey's two-day visit to the city earlier this month. Pandey had inspected various projects and instructed officials to complete the works within the stipulated time. Mahajan asked if the city's rail facilities are adequate for a population of 40 lakh.

Indore is Madhya Pradesh's largest city by population, and its residents have been complaining about poor railway connectivity for decades. The issue has been raised by railway travellers and political leaders alike, with many demanding better connectivity for the state's commercial capital.

The lack of adequate railway services has been a long-standing issue in Indore, with many proposals and projects being delayed or shelved. The city's residents are hoping that Mahajan's allegations will prompt Western Railway to take action and improve the city's railway connectivity.

The issue of poor railway connectivity in Indore is not just a matter of convenience, but also has economic implications. The city is a major commercial hub, and better railway connectivity could boost trade and commerce in the region.

In conclusion, the allegations made by Sumitra Mahajan highlight the need for improved railway connectivity in Indore. The city's residents deserve better, and it is up to Western Railway to take action and address the issue.