STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Rail Passengers’ Association (ARPA) has welcomed the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the State to inaugurate the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Changsari.
ARPA secretary Dipankar Sarma said, “There are two railway stations near AIIMS, Changsari – the Changsari railway station and the Agyathuri railway station. It is indeed a matter of joy that such a prestigious medical institution is coming up here but how many trains will have stoppages in the Changsari and Agiathuri railway stations?
“During the Covid pandemic, services of many local and suburban trains were stopped and these train services have not yet been resumed. So how are patients from different parts of the State and the Northeast expected to reach AIIMS, Changsari? Patients from the Barak Valley will come to Guwahati but how will they go to AIIMS, Changsari? There is only one train which leaves from Guwahati railway station to Changsari at 5 am. After that the next train in at 2.30 pm, 5.30 pm and 6 pm. Between 5 am to 2.30 pm there are no trains leaving for Changsari. Similar problems will be faced by patients coming from Upper Assam and other parts of the State. The services of the Bongaigaon passenger train has been stopped. If the services are resumed, it will leave the Guwahati railway station for Changsari and Agiathuri at 8.10 am and will be helpful for passengers.”
Sarma further said that the services of the inter-city train from New Jalpaiguri to Rangia should be extended to Changsari. The Alipurduar inter-city express train should also be resumed. “Local trains are used by thousands of people to commute as it is cheaper than other modes of transportation. The authorities concerned should therefore, take steps to increase the services of local trains to Changsari and Agiathuri so that people can avail the healthcare facilities offered by AIIMS, Changsari.
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