###Vibhuti Express Expansion Considered as Alternative to Udyan Abha Toofan Express

**Sri Ganganagar, Former ZRUCC member Bhim Sharma met with officials from Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway in Kolkata on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the resumption of the Udyan Abha Toofan Express train, which was discontinued before the COVID-19 pandemic, and its alternatives.

Bhim Sharma reported that on Tuesday, he met with Mr. Anil Dubey, AGM of South Eastern Railway, and on Wednesday, he met with Mr. Roshan Kumar, CPTM of Eastern Railway, to discuss railway issues. He informed the CPTM of Eastern Railway that the decision to discontinue the decades-old Udyan Abha Toofan Express (train number 13007/13008) was made on the recommendation of the then CPTM of Eastern Railway. In its place, former Sri Ganganagar MP Nihalchand had requested the extension of the Vibhuti Express Superfast (train number 12333/12334), running between Howrah and Prayagraj, to Sri Ganganagar.

Sharma explained to the CPTM that train number 13008, Udyan Abha Express, connected seven states—Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal—by running from Sri Ganganagar. He suggested that if there are operational challenges with this train, the Vibhuti Express running between Howrah and Prayagraj should be extended to Sri Ganganagar to alleviate the difficulties faced by long-distance passengers.

According to former ZRUCC member Bhim Sharma, this train was a significant gift when introduced many decades ago. From its inception until 1993, it was the only train facilitating travel between Sri Ganganagar and Delhi. The Intercity train, introduced in 1993, and subsequent trains like the Sarai Rohilla Superfast, Nanded, and Tilak Bridge trains, also connected Sri Ganganagar to Delhi. Despite these additions, the passenger load on the Udyan Abha Express remained unaffected. During the nationwide lockdown, when train services were halted, the then Chief Passenger Transportation Manager (CPTM) of Eastern Railway, K.N. Chandra, recommended permanently discontinuing 10 mail/express trains and 7 passenger trains due to various reasons, writing to the Principal Executive Director (Coaching) of the Railway Board.

According to Bhim Sharma, the main reasons given by the CPTM of Eastern Railway for discontinuing this train included its long journey of approximately 1973 kilometers, during which it stopped at 112 stations, affecting the speed of other fast trains on the trunk route. The train was often canceled between Howrah and Deen Dayal Upadhyay stations for various reasons throughout the year, and during foggy seasons, it was suspended for months. The primary maintenance of the train was conducted in Howrah due to Eastern Railway’s ownership. Further detailed discussions with Railway Board officials are planned soon.