Huge rush on ‘Somvati Amavasya’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 3: Vaidik Brahman Kalyan Parishad (VBKP), a social organization working for the welfare and development of Vedic culture in the country today demanded operation of special train between Katra Mata Vaishnodevi and Haridwar besides some other important routes in northern India at least for five days from December 27 to Dec 31, 2024 on the occasion of famous Hindu festival ‘Somvati Amavasya’.
In joint press state today national president of the VBKP, Subhash Kaushik and J&K Unit head- Surinder Sharma (Adv) said that since ‘Somvati Amavasya’ falls on Dec 30, 2024, there will be huge rush of pilgrims. Many people from J&K and adjoining Himachal and Punjab want to have bath in holy Ganga river on that occasion. There is only one train ‘Hemkund Express’ which runs daily between Katra and Haridwar (Rishikesh).
They said after the opening of the tickets’ reservation 4 months advance, all the seats of this train were booked just within five days. Till now, 3 months and three weeks are pending. Many people from J&K and adjoining Himachal-Punjab want to go to Haridwar on the occasion of this Hindu festival.
VBKP leaders further said that it is the responsibility of the Government to facilitate the pilgrims intending to visit Haridwar on this occasion. In order to facilitate the pilgrims, the Ministry of Railways must run special train between Katra and Haridwar at least for five days from December 27 to Dec 31 this year to manage the rush, they added.
They sought the urgent intervention of Union Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav, Union Minister in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, who happens to be MP from Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha Constituency and Lt Governor of J&K UT, Manoj Sinha into the matter for providing great relief to the people of J&K and adjoining states.
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