Congress MP Selja writes to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over long-pending connectivity issues, seeking relief for Sirsa commuters and easier rail access for Tohana passengers
CHANDIGARH /PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Sirsa MP, former Union minister, Congress general secretary and CWC member Kumari Selja has written two separate letters to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeking early action on long-pending railway-related issues in her parliamentary constituency. While one representation seeks an early start to the construction of the Chhatar Garh Patti Railway Overbridge (ROB) in Sirsa along with an interim route for small vehicles, the other calls for stoppages of four important express train services at Tohana railway station.
In her letter concerning Sirsa, Selja urged the Railway Ministry to ensure that construction of the Chhatar Garh Patti Railway Overbridge begins at the earliest. She said the delay in starting the project was causing inconvenience to residents and commuters who regularly travel between the eastern and western parts of the city.
Selja pointed out that the Public Works Department had already received approval from the Public Health Department to commence work from the Chhatar Garh Patti side. However, despite the clearance, the construction work had not yet started. She urged the Railway Ministry to intervene and issue the necessary directions to the authorities concerned so that the project could move forward without further delay.
The Congress MP said the absence of a convenient route was particularly troublesome for people travelling on two-wheelers, bicycles and small vehicles. With the existing route unavailable, such commuters have reportedly been required to use longer routes, increasing both travel time and inconvenience.
Selja said that while the ROB would eventually provide a permanent solution to the connectivity problem, residents also needed an immediate arrangement during the construction period. She therefore proposed that the old railway crossing could be temporarily reopened for small and light vehicles.
As an alternative, she suggested developing a suitable passage near the railway goods shed so that traffic could continue to move between the affected areas while the ROB was being constructed.
The proposed temporary arrangement, she said, would particularly benefit people using two-wheelers, bicycles and other small vehicles who may not require the same road infrastructure as heavy vehicles. It would also reduce the need for residents to take substantially longer routes during the construction period.
Selja stressed that construction of major infrastructure projects can create temporary traffic challenges, but these can be reduced through practical arrangements. She urged the authorities to examine the suggested alternatives and establish a safe and convenient passage for small and light vehicles until the overbridge becomes operational.
In her second letter, Selja raised the issue of train stoppages at Tohana railway station, seeking better connectivity for passengers from the region. She requested stoppages for four express train services that currently do not halt at Tohana.
The four services identified in her representation are Hazur Sahib–Amritsar Express (12421/12422), Hazur Sahib Nanded–Firozpur Express (14621/14622), Hazur Sahib Nanded–Sri Ganganagar Express (12485/12486), and Hazur Sahib Nanded–Sri Ganganagar Express (12439/12440).
Selja clarified that her demand covers four separate train services, comprising the Hazur Sahib–Amritsar pair, the Hazur Sahib Nanded–Firozpur pair and two separate Hazur Sahib Nanded–Sri Ganganagar service pairs.
She said a large number of people from the Tohana region travel to Shri Hazur Sahib, Nanded and other important religious destinations. The lack of a halt at Tohana means that passengers have to travel to other railway stations to board these trains.
According to Selja, this additional movement increases both the time and cost of travel for passengers. A stoppage at Tohana would allow people from the region to board the trains closer to home and make journeys to important destinations more convenient.
The Congress MP said improved railway connectivity would also have wider benefits for the region. Easier access to important religious destinations could encourage religious tourism and support economic activity associated with passenger movement.
The demand for train stoppages, she said, should be considered in the context of the travel needs of local residents. Tohana and surrounding areas have a significant number of passengers who depend on rail services for long-distance journeys, and additional stoppages could provide them with greater flexibility.
Selja also sought early completion of the required technical and administrative procedures related to the train-halt proposal. She urged the Railway Ministry to examine passenger requirements and take a positive decision at the earliest.
The two letters raise separate but closely connected concerns about transportation infrastructure in the constituency. The Sirsa representation focuses on the immediate difficulties caused by the delay in the Chhatar Garh Patti ROB and the need for an interim traffic arrangement, while the Tohana representation focuses on improving long-distance railway connectivity through additional train stoppages.
Selja said both issues had been raised in response to concerns being faced by local residents. She urged the Railway Ministry to ensure that administrative or technical procedures do not result in unnecessary delays in addressing practical transportation requirements.
Regarding the Sirsa ROB, she emphasised the importance of starting construction at the earliest while simultaneously making arrangements for small and light vehicles. She said residents should not be left to bear the inconvenience of longer routes throughout the construction period when an alternative passage could potentially be provided.
The ROB is expected to address a longstanding connectivity requirement in Sirsa by providing a permanent grade-separated crossing. However, until construction is completed, maintaining reasonable traffic movement will remain important for residents living and working on both sides of the affected railway route.
Similarly, the proposed Tohana train halts could provide a direct boarding option for passengers who currently need to travel to other stations. This would be particularly useful for those undertaking long-distance religious journeys and could make rail travel more accessible for families, senior citizens and other passengers.
Selja urged the Railway Ministry to consider both proposals from the perspective of improving transportation infrastructure and passenger convenience. She called for the necessary action to be taken at the earliest so that long-pending concerns can move towards resolution.
The Congress leader expressed the hope that the Railway Ministry would issue appropriate directions to the concerned authorities on the ROB and examine the request for train stoppages favourably. She said timely decisions on infrastructure and passenger connectivity could provide practical benefits to people across the Sirsa parliamentary constituency.
The representations also underline the importance of combining long-term infrastructure development with immediate solutions for commuters. While the Chhatar Garh Patti ROB represents a permanent infrastructure requirement, a temporary route could help reduce disruption during construction. In the case of Tohana, additional train halts could improve access to existing railway services without requiring passengers to travel to distant stations merely to board the trains.
Selja has therefore sought early action on both matters and urged the Railway Ministry to complete the necessary procedures and take decisions without further delay.
Paper Leaks and Shrinking Job Opportunities Have Left Youth Disillusioned: Kumari Selja
Sirsa MP, former Union minister, Congress general secretary and CWC member Kumari Selja said young people across the country, from Maharashtra to Uttarakhand, were increasingly concerned about their future amid paper leaks, alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, delayed appointments, expensive education and limited employment opportunities.
Selja said significant participation by young people in the Students’ Echo programme organised in Uttarakhand reflected growing concern among students and job aspirants about their future and rights. She said their participation demonstrated a demand for transparent recruitment processes, access to education and adequate employment opportunities.
According to Selja, repeated reports of paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations had created uncertainty among aspirants who spend years preparing for government jobs. She said delays in recruitment processes had added to the frustration of young people who had completed their education and were waiting for employment opportunities.
The Congress leader said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had consistently raised issues concerning students and young people and had advocated their concerns. Referring to the agitation by students in Maharashtra, she said Gandhi had made it clear that governments needed to listen to young people and take action on their legitimate demands.
Selja said concerns of the youth could not be addressed through statements or assurances alone. She called for fair and transparent examinations, completion of pending recruitment processes within a fixed timeframe and creation of meaningful employment opportunities.
She said young people deserved a system in which their hard work and preparation were respected and recruitment examinations were conducted transparently. Any irregularity, she added, could weaken confidence in public institutions.
Selja asserted that the Students’ Echo movement would continue to gain strength until young people received justice, transparent recruitment opportunities and adequate employment. She said increasing student participation showed that young people were increasingly willing to raise their voices on issues affecting their future.
The Government Must Act Immediately on Legitimate Demands of Youth: Kumari Selja
Selja said paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations amounted to putting the future of the country’s youth at risk. She demanded transparent and credible examinations, completion of stalled recruitment processes and creation of additional employment opportunities.
She said young people should not be required to repeatedly prepare for examinations only to face uncertainty because of administrative delays or alleged irregularities. A transparent recruitment system and timely completion of appointments, she said, were essential to restoring confidence among students and job aspirants.
POD/DESK
