The Sambalpur Jammu Tawi Express will be resuming operations from January 11 after more than nine months and residents of Palamau, Garhwa and Latehar districts couldn't have been happier.

According to an official communication from East Central Railway, the train will start its run from Sambalpur on January 11 and from Jammu Tawi three days later, from January 14. Both the up and down services will be available four days a week. The train will continue to run till further orders.

Residents of Latehar, Garhwa and Palamau districts can avail of the Up Sambalpur Jammu Tawi Express on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Down trains will go through these districts on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays.

A K Tiwari, station superintendent of the Daltonganj Railway Station said that the train was in demand by the residents of Latehar as there was no train to Delhi so far.

Tiwari also said while Rajdhani has stoppages in Daltonganj and Garhwa but there is no stoppage at the Latehar district.

Tiwari added this train will now have three stoppages in Latehar district which are Tori, Latehar and Barwadih railway junctions.

Travelling to Delhi at this time was a big problem for the people of Latehar district. Sources said patients who were advised to seek treatment in Delhi AIIMS were the worst sufferers in Latehar district as there is no available train to Delhi. This long express train has stoppages in Delhi, Chandigarh and Ludhiana.

A large number of businessmen in the state also do their trading of winter wears in Ludhiana. Businessman R D Singh said, “With the resumption of this train, businessmen will now rush to Ludhiana to bring in winter wears as Ludhiana is the hub of summer and winter hosiery.”