As Sabarmati Exp enters Godhra in dead of night,some slogans,mostly silence

Among those on board was Janak Panchal,a kar sevak who had travelled on the same train from Ayodhya in 2002. He got off the train,and was greeted with garlands by the VHP men. Panchal said he travels to Ayodhya every year at this time,returning to Godhra on February 27 — to pay homage to his younger brother Shailesh,who was among the 59 passengers,mostly kar sevaks,who were killed in the train fire. Today’s trip was Panchal’s tenth.

“My brother was only 21 years old and studying mechanical engineering. My neighbour’s young son Chirag Ishwarbhai Patel,19,was also killed in the incident,” Panchal said.

Panchal ensures he gets a berth in the same S-6 coach every time he travels,booking his ticket well in advance.

The other passengers seemed annoyed with the noise the VHP men were making outside,and with the photographers clicking away at the train.

The timing of the Sabarmati Express was changed last year. Railway officials said the train now arrives in Godhra at 12.10 am,some three hours ahead of its earlier time. This day ten years ago,the train was supposed to reach Godhra at 3 am,but was late by more than four hours. Railway officials said the timing had to be changed because several new stations have been added on the train’s route. What this means is that on most nights when the Sabarmati Express arrives at Godhra,most people on board and in the town are asleep.