A train on slow track

VIJAY UPADHYAY
Etah. At a time when trains all over the world are reaching speeds exceeding 550 kmph. and the rise in the speed by only a fraction makes its place in the news headlines in the country, a train in UP is still running at a speed befitting a snail.

The Tundla-Etah train is making a record for being probably the slowest running passenger train in the plains of India.

Covering a distance of 66 km in over four hours over a strainght, no-traffic track, the only train connecting Etah to the railway network at Tundla runs at an average speed of just 16 kmph, maintaining it ever since the track was inaugurated by the first President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1959.

Over 47 years have gone by the day when this train first reached the 150 acre railway station of Etah on January 18, 1959 but the track that could have become the lifeline of this extremely backward area of Uttar Pradesh, lies virtually unused, save for the only three-bogie train that makes a daily trip between Tundla and Etah, chugging leisurely at a slower-than-a-bicycle pace and stopping randomly through this 66 km trip to board passengers in mid-way!

Known as Itminaan Express among locals, the train represents the unhurried manner in which life goes on in this part of the State, while just about 80 km and 90 minutes away by bus, the town of Agra bustles with activity.

The issue of the train's pace and frequency has been a matter of much debate in Parliament with members from the three parliamentary seats of Etah district raising the question of the track's linkage with other towns and the speeding up of the train. Despite several assurances from various Railway Ministers during this 47 year long period, the train still runs at its original speed, even though the steam engine has long been replaced.

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