Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The British era railway station of Hasanabdal has been upgraded and re-constructed after 127 years to facilitate the travelling of Sikh pilgrims visiting their holy worship place – Gurdawara Sri Panja Sahib. Inayatullah, a resident of Hasanabdal, developed an emotional bond with the city’s railway station since 1976, when his family moved to the nearby residential area. His attachment became stronger when he started commuting to Attock college by train with a group of his student fellows. Recalling his memories with the old building, he said that the station building built in the British era, overshadowed by long-bearded old banyan trees, was an icon of grace, peace, and activity for us. “I knew every brick and bench, light and fan, track and signal post, gargoyle and drain, and crack in the platform at the station. For me, the old, usually quiet building was graceful,” he said. Established in 1839, the Hasanabdal railway station platform is hosting Sikh pilgrims from India and other parts of the country on the famous Baisakhi festival in the month of April every year. However, after 127 years, Sikh pilgrims carrying train tickets will see an upgraded railway station with multiple tombs on the roof which gives a reflection of the Gurdawara architecture.
