Gaya: More than 18 railway-related public demands concerning the Gaya parliamentary constituency, including a proposal for a direct train between Gaya Junction and Srinagar, were raised at the Dhanbad railway division parliamentary committee meeting held on Wednesday. Union minister for micro, small and medium enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi attended the meeting.Representing the Union minister, Nandlal Manjhi placed several demands before railway officials. These included stoppages of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail and Dhanbad-Firozpur Express at Paharpur station, and a halt for the Koderma-Vaishali Fast MEMU Passenger at both Paharpur and Tankuppa stations. The meeting also discussed the demand for a direct train between Gaya Junction and Srinagar.He also sought the extension of the Danapur Intercity Express up to Gaya Junction to improve connectivity for passengers in the region.Another issue raised at the meeting was the continued charging of express train fares in certain passenger trains. Nandlal alleged that some trains that were operated as “special trains” during the Covid-19 pandemic continue to levy express train fares on passengers.“Some trains were run as special trains during the Covid-19 pandemic and passengers were charged express train fares. Even now, passengers are being charged express fares in these trains,” he said.The meeting also discussed the demand for a direct train between Gaya Junction and Srinagar. According to Nandlal, such a service would benefit a large number of defence personnel from the Magadh region posted in Srinagar, besides facilitating travel for pilgrims and tourists visiting Gaya and Bodh Gaya.Officials of the Dhanbad railway division took note of the demands raised during the meeting.