Lok Sabha Question No. 2983 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Stoppage of Vande Bharat train 26462/26461 at Barnala in Punjab
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2983

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025

STOPPAGE OF VANDE BHARAT TRAIN 26462/26461 AT BARNALA IN PUNJAB 2983. SHRI GURMEET SINGH MEET HAYER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the criteria adopted by Railways for determining stoppages of premium trains such as Vande Bharat including factors like projected ridership, infrastructure capacity and timetable constraints;
- (b)  whether  Barnala  station  was  evaluated  for  a  halt  on  Vande  Bharat 26462/26461 (Firozpur Cantt.-New Delhi) and if so, the reasons for excluding the said station;
- (c) whether consultations were held with local MPs, MLAs, district authorities or  other  stakeholders  before  finalising  the  stoppages  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has received any formal request seeking a Barnala halt and if so, the details thereof including the replies given by the Railways;
- (e)  whether  any  infrastructural  limitations  at  Barnala  have  influenced  the decision and whether upgrades are proposed and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  the  details  of  the  procedure  and  expected  timeline  for  approving  the additional halt on this train in view of public demand?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (f)   Barnala  is  presently  being  served  by  12  pairs  of  trains(  listed  below) which includes 1 pair of train services  connecting  it to Firozpur and  4 pairs of trains connecting it to Delhi area.

|   SN | Train no. & Name                     |
|------|--------------------------------------|
|    1 | 14887/14888 Rishikesh-Barmer Express |

|   2 | 14625/14626 Haridwar-Firozpur Cantt Express            |
|-----|--------------------------------------------------------|
|   3 | 12455/12456 Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Bikaner Express        |
|   4 | 14507/14508 Delhi-Fazilka Express                      |
|   5 | 14509/14510 Dhuri-Bhatinda Express                     |
|   6 | 14525/14526 Ambala Cantt-Sri Ganganagar Express        |
|   7 | 14815/14816 Sri Ganganagar- Rishikesh Express          |
|   8 | 14735/14736 Sri Ganganagar- Ambala Cantt Express       |
|   9 | 12485/12486 Hazur Sahib Nanded-Shri Ganganagar Express |
|  10 | 12439/12440 Hazur Sahib Nanded-Shri Ganganagar Express |
|  11 | 54765/54766 Dhuri-bhatinda Passenger                   |
|  12 | 54551/54552 Ambala Cantt-Bhatinda Passenger            |

Representations/requests,  both  formal  and  informal,  inter  alia  for  provision  of stoppage of train services, are received from State Governments, Ministries of Central Government, Elected Representatives, Consultative Committees etc. by the Railways at various levels including Railway Board, Zonal Railways, Divisional office etc. As receipt of such representations/requests is a continuous and dynamic process, centralized compendium of such representations/requests is not maintained. However, these are dealt as per laid down procedure/guidelines  and  action  as  found  feasible  and  justified  is  taken  from time to time, which is an on-going process.

Besides, provision of stoppages  of  train services depends  on  the  traffic justification,  operational  feasibility  including  availability  of  extra  time  on  the section & availability of matching infrastructure such as Platform length etc.

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