High-speed train between Amritsar, New Delhi soon: Suresh Prabhu

Work on launching a high-speed train between Amritsar and New Delhi will be initiated soon following the successful trial run of Spanish-made Talgo which became the fastest train in the country by clocking a speed of 180 km/hr, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said.

"We have already tested train to run at the speed of 180 km per hour which was successful and after watching its results, Amritsar will be linked with a high-speed train," he said after laying the foundation stone of one MW solar power plant here.

The Union minister also said railway stations of Amritsar and Ludhiana will be redeveloped with modern facilities.

"Punjab is the food bowl of the country and Union Government will leave no stone unturned to develop the railway stations in the state," Prabhu said.

The Minister regretted the delay in laying railway tracks on Amritsar-Patti route via Ferozpur but hoped that the work on this project will begin soon with the help of the state government.

He said the Centre was focusing on producing solar energy from waste material that will help reduce railways' expenditure on purchase of electricity. The savings, he said, could be used for creating additional facilities for the passengers.

Railway ministry will install solar panels at all the railway buildings across the country in order to reduce expenditure on electricity, he said.

Later, Prabhu along with his wife paid obeisance at Golden Temple where he was honoured with a set of Sikh religious books, a replica of Golden Temple and woolen shawl. He also paid obeisance at Durgina Temple.