Demand rises for more train stoppages at Navsari

Surat: Central government recently declared a new high-class railway station ‘Kevadiya’ to promote ‘Statue of Unity’ as a tourist place near Bharuch. However, the historic town of Navsari, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently opened National Salt Satyagraha Memorial (NSSM) at Dandi is facing neglect from the Western Railways (WR) when it comes to the stoppage of superfast and other important trains from the last one decade.
Stakeholders from Navsari chamber of commerce’s railway committee have dashed off a letter to Union Railway minister, Suresh Prabhu stating that the stoppage of superfasta trains are need of the hour for Navsari to connect the historic Dandi memorial and to boost tourism opportunies. In the last one months since the NSSM was inaugurated by PM, the tourist flow to Dandi has increased to 50,000 per month.

Nimesh Patel, member of divisional railway users consultative committee (DRUCC) from Navsari said, “All stations like Valsad, Vapi, Anand, Nadiad, Anklwshar and Bharuch on WR are having adequate superfast trains. Navsari is the only ‘A’ grade station being continuously ignored in terms of stoppage for unknown reasons.”

Patel added, “Navsari is the stronghold of BJP for a long time. However, due to these pending issues, people of this historic town are bit upset and feel cheated. Earlier, BJP leaders would give excuse that UPA government is not listening, but things have not even moved in the last five years of BJP’s rule at the Centre.”

According to Patel, the stakeholders from Navsari have sought an appointment with Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to explain the problems in more efficient manner and stoppage of important superfast trains like Karnavati Express, Garibrath, Jaipur Express, Bhavnagar Express, Secundrabad Express, Valsad Puri express, Ajmer Mysore Express, Swaraj Express etc.