Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
MP Satnam Sandhu urges Railway Minister for pilgrimage train halt and reservation counter at Kharar Station
Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Sandhu Raises Issue of Pilgrims Travelling from Punjab’s Kharar to Sikh & Hindu Religions Sites with Union Minister of Railways
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, April 5, 2025: Citing the significance of Kharar as a rapidly growing regional educational and economic hub in recent years, Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha Satnam Singh Sandhu met Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and submitted a Memorandum of Demands urging him to facilitate the stoppage of pilgrimage trains and establishment of Reservation Counter at Kharar Railway station.
Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Sandhu, in the memorandum submitted to the railways minister while highlighting the growing significance of Kharar city over the years stated that ‘the city is not only a gateway to Punjab but one of the rapidly developing cities of the state’.
The Rajya Sabha MP in his letter urged the Union Minister to facilitate halting of six trains that travel to pilgrimage sites and establish a railway reservation counter at the Kharar Railway station.
Sandhu demanded halting of pilgrimage trains at Kharar Railway station that include Hazur Sahib Nanded - Amb Andaura Super Fast Express, Dehradun - Amritsar Express, Saharsa - Amritsar Jansadharan Exp, Kalka - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express, Paschim Express (Bandra-Amritsar) and Hemkunt Express (Rishikesh to Vaishno Devi).
The MP said, “Over the past few years, Kharar has not only emerged as one of the largest educational hubs of the region, but it has also become the focal point of economic activities of the state. The population of the city and its peripheral areas have reached 10 lakhs.
There are two prestigious universities and seven prominent colleges in Kharar area where thousands of students from all across the country and even from 60 other nations also come here to pursue their higher studies.
In the letter, Sandhu stated that despite Kharar Railway station generating significant revenue from ticket sales, there is no reservation counter available for passengers.
Sandhu in his letter also mentioned that given the growing population and increased passenger demand, urging the ministry to approve the stoppage of trains at Kharar Railway station.
Notably, Rajya Sabha Member Satnam Sandhu had also submitted a memorandum of demand to Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu on March 20 seeking his intervention in this matter.
Shedding light on the historical and religious significance of Kharar city, Sandhu said that the history of Kharar city is connected to Lord Shri Ram's grandfather Maharaja Ajj and there is Ajj Sarovar situated in the city which has been named after the Maharaja. A grand Shri Ram temple is also under construction at this place.
“The historical place of Chappar Chiri is also situated in Kharar area where Baba Banda Singh Bahadur avenged the martyrdom of Sahibzadas by killing Mughal Governor of Sirhind Wazir Khan,” added Sandhu.
He further added, “In view of the increasing population and rapid urbanization of Kharar city and peripheral areas and increased demand of thousands of students who study at universities and academic institutions here, a full-fledged reservation counter at the Kharar Railway station is the need of hour. The citizens of Kharar city have also been demanding that some important trains should stop at Kharar Railway station. The stoppage of these trains at Kharar will ensure easy and hassle-free travel of local residents as well as thousands of students who come from different parts of the country and overseas locations to study here. If stoppage of trains increased at Kharar Railway station then it will be instrumental in giving fillip to the tourism sector as well as boost economic activity of the state.”