Bijni Railway Station Welcomes New Train Stoppages

New Train Stoppages at Bijni Railway Station

Bijni, March 7: In response to persistent requests from local residents and passenger groups for enhanced rail services, three long-distance express trains—Kamrup Express, Tambaram Express, and North East Express—will now make stops at Bijni Railway Station.

This development follows ongoing appeals for the halting of five express trains at the station, with three now officially scheduled to stop starting Saturday.

The arrival of the Dibrugarh–Howrah Kamrup Express (Train No. 15960) at Bijni was met with enthusiasm from members of the Bijni Railway Yatri Adhikar Mancha (BRYAM) and local travelers.

A regular commuter expressed that the demand for train stoppages at Bijni has been a long-standing issue, repeatedly highlighted through protests and public advocacy.

“The demand for long-distance express train stoppages has been a priority for Bijni. Many organizations have been advocating for this, and today we celebrate our success,” the commuter remarked.

He further noted, “We initially requested five trains, and while we received three, I feel relieved knowing that if I miss one train, another will be available.”

Shubhankar Ghosh, Secretary of BRYAM, emphasized that this achievement resulted from the collaborative efforts of various organizations, political entities, and community members.

“This was not solely a BRYAM initiative; it was a collective demand from numerous local groups and individuals. Out of our request for five express trains, we have secured three: Kamrup Express, Tambaram Express, and North East Express,” Ghosh stated.

He also mentioned that BRYAM will continue to advocate for additional train services in the future.

“Currently, there is no train connecting Bijni to Maharashtra, so we will push for stoppages of trains like Kanchanjunga, LTT, and Deoghar. We are optimistic that the Kamrup Express (15961/62) through Tongla will also stop here,” he added.

Rabindra Nath Das, Working President of BRYAM, pointed out that until now, the Brahmaputra Mail was the only significant express train stopping at Bijni, which posed challenges for passengers traveling to far-off locations.

“Aside from the Brahmaputra Mail, there were no other express trains available at Bijni Railway Station. Civil society groups have been advocating for this issue for a long time. The new stoppages for the Silghat–Tambaram Express to Chennai, Kamakhya–Delhi Express, and North East Express will greatly benefit travelers,” Das explained.

He urged the state government to enhance the infrastructure at Bijni Railway Station.

According to BRYAM, the new train stoppages were granted in response to the local passenger body's demands and in line with a commitment made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during the BTC elections.

Passengers and members of BRYAM expressed their appreciation to the Chief Minister for facilitating these stoppages, stating that this decision will significantly improve travel for local residents.

Previously, the push for train stoppages at Bijni intensified, with local organizations organizing protests and demonstrations.

On February 21, civil society groups and passenger organizations held a two-hour sit-in protest at Bijni Railway Station, advocating for stoppages of several long-distance trains and better suburban rail connectivity.

The recent decision to allow stoppages for three express trains is seen as a significant result of these ongoing public protests and negotiations.