Question:- whether only railways is the effective means for connecting common man/tourists with North to South and East to West in Jhansi due to which it comes under the category of major railway stations;
(b) if so, the facts and details thereof;
(c) the reasons for not including the 30 years old Jhansi railway station under the smart railway station category;
(d) the reasons...
more... for not including Jhansi that witnessed the freedom struggle and independence under the Vande Bharat Train; and
(e) the time by which Jhansi railway station is likely to be connected with Vande Bharat and Super fast trains?
Answer:-
(a) & (b): Railways is one of the effective mode of connectivity for common man/tourist. Jhansi is one of the important junction station connecting North to South and East to West.
As per the review in the year 2017 for categorization of stations for the period 2017-18 to 2022-23, Jhansi is a Non-Suburban Grade (NSG)-2 category station based on annual passenger earnings (reserved and unreserved) and number of outward passengers handled at station.
(c): There is no station category as Smart railway station category. Jhansi station is a Adarsh Station and various facilities such as improvement in façade, circulating area, lighting arrangements, retiring room, Pay & Use toilet, Passenger Guidance System including Signages & Coach Indicator Boards etc. have been provided. However, upgradation of passenger amenities is a continuous process.
(d)&(e): Introduction of trains, including Vande Bharat Express, on Indian Railways is an ongoing process subject to operational feasibility, resource availability and commercial justification etc. However, Jhansi is presently very well served by 132 pairs of train services including 05 pairs of Rajdhani Express services, 01 pair of Shatabdi Express, 03 pairs of Duranto Express and 01 pair of Gatimaan Express.