SHIMLA: Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday flagged off a new express train between Baijnath-Paprola in Kangra and Pathankot that would reduce the travel time by more than two hours.The train, which will cover the 100-km distance in 5.05 hours that used to take 7.15 hours, will have four coaches — first class chair car, two general coaches and one general cum guard van and will halt at Palampur, Nagrota, Kangra and Jawalamukhi on the way.Thakur said all the major stations have been provided wi-fi facility to facilitate commuters.He said the consultancy work for providing heritage look to Kangra station would be completed by March 10.Thakur had taken up the issue of increasing speed of trains plying on Pathankot-Jogindernagar and Kalka-Shimla tracks with Union minister for railways Piyush Goyal during a meeting in Shimla on December 1 last year.The CM said besides helping locals, this express service would also encourage tourists to visit this region.He said efforts would be made to run big trains on this track and the matter regarding upgradation of the track would be taken up with the railway ministry.He said the railways would also execute various other works to facelift the heritage gallery at Palampur, display of heritage items at major stations, use of heritage light poles, clocks, benches at stations to attract more and more tourists and general public to use railway for their journey.Divisional Railways Manager Vivek Kumar said all the trains plying on this section had been refurbished so that the tourist could enjoy the scenic beauty of the area. He said the heritage gallery has been constructed at Palampur station.

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