Dhar gets railway connectivity for first time since Independence

Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh received its first railway connectivity since Independence as Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off a daily 12-coach MEMU service between Vadodara and Tanda Road. He also laid the foundation for third and fourth railway lines

Dhar (MP): Eight decades after Independence, Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Dhar district finally appeared on the country’s vast Rail network on Tuesday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a new MEMU train service between Vadodara and Tanda Road in Dhar.

The PM virtually flagged off the train from Vadodara (Pratapnagar station) during his day-long visit to Gujarat. A Railway official stated that a 12-coach MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) train will operate daily between Pratapnagar and Tanda Road station in Dhar district.

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During the programme, held via video conferencing, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for third and fourth Railway lines between Vadodara and Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh). An official said residents of Dhar district will now have easy access to trains from Tanda Road to travel to Pratapnagar. He said for the first time since Independence, Dhar district has got Railway connectivity.

Union Minister of State Savitri Thakur, Alirajpur MLA Nagar Singh Chauhan, and several other public representatives were present at the programme held on Tanda Road.

Thakur said the new Railway line from Tanda Road will connect Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat via two bridges. She said, “This is a major gift for our tribal brothers and sisters, farmers, and the entire region. The dream that the people of our tribal region had years ago has come true today.” The Union minister said this will lead to development of the region, making travel easier for farmers, women, and youth.

“New industries will emerge, new jobs will be created, and new opportunities will be available,” Thakur maintained. The new train service will connect Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts of Gujarat and Alirajpur and Dhar districts of Madhya Pradesh.