Punjab has asked the Centre for a Shatabadi train from Delhi to Bathinda to help thegrowing economy of the Malwa region.

Pressing for the demand in a meeting with S S Khurana, chairman, Railway Board, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal suggested that with upcoming Bathinda Refinery and Talwandi Sabo thermal plant, the region needs better rail connectivity.

The chairman assured Badal that Railways would propose Sri Ganganagar-Bathinda-Jakhal-Delhi Shatabadi in the ensuing Railway Budget.

Badal also sought expeditious completion of 37 railway over bridges (RoBs) and railway under bridges (RUBs) in the state. He said 28 such projects were sanctioned during previous years whereas nine such projects were sanctioned this year only. He said Punjab government had undertaken massive road expansion programme in the state and incomplete RoBs were hampering the work on these prestigious road projects.

Appreciating the concern of Punjab government on early completion of RoBs, Khurana said Punjab was perhaps only state that was working in total coordination with Railway authorities for early completion of these projects.

He said that it was just because of advanced payment by the state government and single-window clearance of various obstacles by the state government, record number of 17 RoBs would be completed in Punjab by March 31.