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Rajasthan bypolls to delay train link from Shekhawati to Delhi

JAIPUR: People of Shekhawati region will have to wait to get train connectivity to Jaipur and Delhi from their native towns. Due to assembly elections in Haryana and by-elections in two seats - Mandawa and Khinvsar - the plan to start operation of the trains on the newly converted routes has been postponed. Authorities from north western railway (NWR) had already asked the railway board to give a green signal for operation of the trains.

However, the board has yet not given the clearance.

As the gauge conversion work on this route from Jaipur to Delhi via Ringas has already completed, NWR is planning to operate some of the popular trains which were operated during meter gauge time. However, it will take more time for these trains to get started.

"We have already written to the railway board to get the sanction of a few trains which are proposed to be operated between Jaipur and Delhi connecting Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu districts. It appears that during the model code of conduct in Haryana and at two seats of Nagaur, these trains may not be granted to us," said a senior officer of NWR on condition of anonymity on Friday.

NWR had written to the railway board on September 10 and they are yet to get any clearance to operate the trains.

"In Haryana, the vote counting is on October 21 while for Mandawa and Khinvsar, voting is on October 21 and counting on October 24. Thus, it is most unlikely to get our trains prior to October 24. Since all the trains on this route will pass through Haryana as well, they can't be allowed before elections," said an officer. According to the NWR sources, the trains that are likely to operate on the route include extension of Delhi to Sikar upto Jaipur, Jaipur-Delhi Sarai Rohilla via Ringas, extension of Bandra Terminal-Jaipur up to Sriganganagar. For the past three years, the Jaipur-Delhi meter gauge route was closed due to its conversion into broad gauge.

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