Jamshedpur, Jan. 12: A Jan Shatabdi Express would replace the Howrah-Tata Shatabdi express from the next financial year. This was announced by the Union railway minister Nitish Kumar while inaugurating a passenger halt at Kanimahuli (between Chakulia and Gidhni stations) of Kharagpur division today.

Besides, the Jan Shatabdi Express which now runs between Tatanagar to Ranchi, would be replaced by a Modified Electric Multi-purpose Unit (MEMU) passenger train to increase the frequency of passengers travelling in the route. The Jan Shatabdi Express, which was introduced only three months ago in October is running a loss due to the high price of tickets.

While making the new announcements, the minister said that the decision has been taken keeping in view the loss incurred by the railways in running the trains. The fare of the Jan Shatabdi Express is less as compared to Shatabdi and hence it would ensure that more passengers travel. This would help in improving the revenue, he said.

The inauguration at the Kanimahuli passenger halt was delayed by more than three hours as the minister reached the venue late. After reaching the city by a special train, the minister attended two functions, one at Mango and the other at the Central Gurdwara in Sakchi. He also inspected a bridge over the Subarnarekha River, between the Galudih and Rakha mines, on his way to Kanimahuli. Later, in the evening the minister inaugurated another passenger halt at Birbhans between Gamharia and Sini stations under the Chakradharpur division of South-Eastern Railways.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the Kanimahauli halt, Kumar said six railway projects worth Rs 2,000 crore have been undertaken in Jharkhand. It would be completed in five years’ time.

According to the railway minister, an amount of Rs 15,000 crore has also been earmarked for the national railway development project. Referring to a query the minister said that efforts are being taken by the railways to check accidents. He said an anti-collision devise has been introduced in trains on an experimental basis at Jullandhar railway section to help to check accidents. “If the devise works well we would be introducing it in other trains,” he said.

While referring to the recruitment in railways, the minister said that around 15,000 posts are lying vacant in the group IV category, which would be filled-up soon.