Chandigarh, July 21 – Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal said that Haryana is the first state in the country where the country's first 6-km long elevated railway line is being constructed in Rohtak, whose construction work will be completed by January, 2020. Apart from this, a railway line will be laid from Palwal to Kundli alongwith the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal road.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the 64th National Awards Ceremony of the Railway Department and inauguration of the Rail Mela 2019 at the SD College Ambala Cantt today. This function was presided over by Union Minister of State for Railways, Mr. Suresh C. Angadi.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Manohar Lal and Union Minister of State for Railways, Mr. Suresh C. Angadi also honored the best working officials and employees working in the railway by giving them mementos. A book titled Kalka Shimla Heritage Mountain Rail was also released by the Chief Guest and other guests. The Chief Minister and other guests also took a round of the exhibition organized by the railway and appreciated it.

The Chief Minister said that for constructing railway infrastructures and new railway line in the state, a joint venture of Haryana Government and Railway namely Haryana Railway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited has been constituted, which has 51 percent share of Haryana and 49 percent of Railways. He said that where the elevated railway line is being established in Haryana, 81 km new railway line was established there in the last five years. Work has been done to double and electrification of about 100 km railway line. He said that the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has inaugurated a Rail Coach Factory in Bari of district Sonepat. He said that 37 under bridges and over bridges were established in the tenure of previous government whereas from 2014 to 2019, more than 125 under bridges and over bridges have so far been constructed. He said that now the demand for elevated railway line has also been received from Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Jind.

Appreciating the works being done by the Railways Department across the country, the Chief Minister said that 165 years ago, the British started the railway in the country. In 1863, the first train in Haryana started from Delhi to Kalka and the railway network, which was established by the British before Independence, 40 percent of it went to Pakistan after independence.

Union Minister of State for Railways, Mr. Suresh C. Angadi said that following the principle of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Vishwas of the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, all out efforts are being made to bring the Railways to the first place. At present, the Indian Railways is at fourth place in the world, but in the coming times, it will be number one and for this, about 13 lakh officers and employees of the Railway Department are working day and night. He said that former Prime Minister, Late Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had done the work of connecting the country through roads and the same work is being done by the Railways Department. The railway network is growing constantly. He said that while there has been special provision for railways in the general budget, such a policy is being formulated through which investment of Rs 50 lakh crore could be invested in the Railway in the next 10 years. He said that the main objectives of the Ministry of Railways are to increase the railway safety, movement of trains on time, increase in women coaches, wifi and further expansion of railways. He said that railways has several employment opportunities and the increasing railway network will create further employment opportunities. He said that the way Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi did the work of connecting the world through yoga, the railway is working to connect the countrymen through the rail network.

On this occasion, Haryana Health Minister, Mr. Anil Vij lauded the Rail Mela in the Ambala Cantt. Assembly Constituency and said that the country is moving forward in every field under the leadership of Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi. New dimensions have also been established in the Railways. He also said that honouring the railway officials and employees for the works done by them for the expansion of the railways is also very commendable. He said that the separate provision made in the budget for the Railways will inevitably accelerate the rail expansion.

He said that the revolution of 1857 was started from Ambala Cantonment and ‘Shahidi Samarak’ is being constructed at the cost of Rs. 192 crore in memory of those martyrs. After completion of this construction, tourism will get boost. Under the leadership of Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal, unprecedented development has taken place in Ambala Cantt. in last about five years, he added.

Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr. Rattan Lal Kataria said that the Railway Department has arranged a good exhibition in Ambala. Congratulating the officers and staff of the Railway Department, who were honoured today, he said that with their help, cleanliness is visible on railway stations and in railways. He said that two lakh bio toilets have been constructed by the Railway Department to promote cleanliness. He said that the way Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi introduced the Swachhta Abhiyan as a mass campaign, in the same way the Prime Minister has associated with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan and made it a mass movement, which has been effectively launched in Haryana by the Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal. He said that the population of India is 18 per cent in the world whereas the share of water is only 4 per cent. Only 8 percent of rainwater is harvested. He said that the Prime Minister has also written letter to the village panchayats and public representatives to make the Jal Shakti Abhiyan a mass movement so that the ‘Har Ghar, Nal Se Jal Abhiyan’ will be completed by 2024.

On this occasion, Chairman, Railway Board, Mr. Vinod Yadav also briefed the Chief Minister and other guests in detail about the improvements made in the railway. He said last year, the least damage and accidents happened in the history of Indian Railways. Digitization and modernization of railway network is being done. Facilities and arrangements are being improved at railway stations. Chandigarh Railway Station and Ambala Railway Station are also being integrated with modern facilities.

Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra, Mr. Nayab Singh Saini said that the railway is providing facilities to a very large section of the country. A special provision has been made in the budget for the Railways, which will make it the largest rail network in the world.

Others present on the occasion included Director General of Police, Mr. Manoj Yadava, Deputy Commissioner, Mrs. Sharandeep Kaur Brar, Superintendent of Police, Mr. Abhishek Jorwal and other dignitaries.