Railways continued to lose revenue as Freight operations remain forcibly suspended due to tracks blockages in Punjab. Till Date more than 2225 freight rakes could not be operated upon carrying vital commodities. Loss expected to have Crossed Rs 1200 crore already, Ministry of Railways said on Wednesday.
Agitators have continued dharna at Platforms near Railway track. Train movement again suspended due to operational and safety considerations as agitators have suddenly stopped some train movements and sporadic blockade continued at various places like especially around Jandiala, Nabha, Talwandi Sabo and Bathinda, the statement said.
As per the report at 06:00 hrs today, the agitation was continuing at Total – 32 Places, it said.
The Minister of Railways had written to CM Punjab Government on October 26, seeking assurance about safety of tracks and running staff to resume operations.
Due to the continued blockages at sections of tracks in Punjab, there has been a major adverse impact on Freight movement and hence on availability of vital commodities for the farm, industrial and infrastructure sector as well.
All passenger trains passing through the state of Punjab have been adversely impacted too. Till date more than 1350 passenger trains have been cancelled, diverted or short terminated. This has caused tremendous inconvenience to travellers in Covid times, it said.
All inward and outward Goods transportation including essential commodities have been affected adversely in Punjab, J&K, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
A number of freight trains including loaded trains remained struck as such for periods upto 15-20 days.
On September 24, Kisan in the Punjab region started blocking railway tracks and stations. From October 1, onwards, all movements had to be suspended as agitation spread all over Punjab which affected complete train operations in Firozpur Division, partially in Punjab area of Ambala, Delhi and Bikaner Division.
Later on, Conditional Goods train movement was allowed from October 22, onwards by the Agitators. However, two days after freight train movement was resumed, it had to be suspended again due to operational and safety considerations as sporadic blockade continued at various places especially around Amritsar, Nabha, Talwandi Sabo, Firozpur, Moga, Jandiala, and Bathinda, the statement said.
