Lakhimpur bids farewell to metre gauge train

Broad-gauge services would now be available on a big stretch from Lakhimpur to Mailani.

Metre gauge train passed into history in Lakhimpur on Friday. The last such train departed from

People bidding bye-bye to last metre-gauge train from Sitapur to Mailani at Lakhimpur railway station on Friday. (HT photo)

Lakhimpur railway station on its way to Mailani junction on Friday. The train originated in Sitapur.

Broad-gauge services would now be available on a big stretch from Lakhimpur to Mailani.

Members of the Gayatri Parivar organised a brief function to felicitate the Sitapur-Mailani train staff at the Lakhimpur railway station.

The drivers Shankar Lal Mina and RN Shah and guard Nanhe Lal were honoured on the occasion. Some students travelled in the last meter-gauge train.

Om Pratap Singh, a lawyer, welcomed the gauge conversion, saying this would open a new chapter of development in Kheri.

A senior citizen said metre gauge trains brought a number of prominent leaders and freedom fighters to Lakhimpur during the freedom struggle. However, all were happy that Lakhimpur would have broad gauge.