Punjab chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday urged the Union railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav to immediately start the Shatabdi Express train between Delhi-Bathinda (Delhi-Rohtak-Jind-Bathinda) to facilitate comfortable journey of the people of Malwa region.
In a letter to Lalu Prasad Yadav, Badal said need for this train service was felt due to persistent demands of professionals, executives, government officials, politicians, agriculturist, traders and businessmen of the region. He sought Prasad?s personal intervention to look into matter and expedite the long pending demand of the people of this belt.
Badal further mentioned that Bathinda city was surrounded by more than 12 small cities with total population in excess of 15 lakh and was an important centre of grain and cotton markets. Besides, business activities were picking up speed in the growing steel, power and refinery sectors.
The Rs 18,919-crore JV Refinery-GGSRL, being developed by HMEL (HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited), will provide a much needed thrust to the already fast growing economy of the city.
The proposed Rs 13,500-crore power plant to be executed by Vedanta Group is situated 40 km from Bathinda and will largely contribute to the economy of the region.