Team News Riveting
Raipur, December 13
The railway officials of Bilaspur zone and Raipur division reportedly avoided to brief Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel about the operation of Vande Bharat Express between Nagpur and Bilaspur.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday flagged off the train at Nagpur junction. The Bilaspur-bound train would cover a major portion of its journey in the state of Chhattisgarh.
Baghel expressed his discontent over the attitude of railway officials and said this was the second important occasion when the Chief Minister was not briefed about the event. Earlier, the officials avoided informing the Chief Minister about the visit of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Baghel and the state officials had prepared a presentation to discuss issues related to the ministry of railways with Vaishnaw. However, they did not get the opportunity though the railway minister spent hours in the state capital dining with the officials.
“Let the railway did not print the invitation card; but at least they should have informed us about the happenings,” Baghel said.
The issue is likely to flare up as the Chhattisgarh government has earlier also locked horns with the railway ministry over cancellation of passenger trains. Baghel has pointed out the alleged higher fare of Vande Bharat Express and said it would be a dream of the common man of Chhattisgarh to take a ride on it.
Baghel said the passenger trains, which poor people could afford, had been cancelled while excessive trains had been launched that would be of no use to the common people of Chhattisgarh.