The rail passengers, particularity of the low income group, are bearing the brunt as the SE Railway has not resumed services of a majority of trains which were suspended due to Covid-19.
Sources said a majority of trains which were running through and stopping in Baleswar while continue to remain suspended, only a hand counted number of trains are stopping at Baleswar these days. More so, the trains that are running as special ones have excess fares up to 30 to 40 per cent higher and are not stopping in all the stations which were earlier in schedule.
As a result, the passengers mainly of low income strata are either availing the train service by paying more or opting bus service which is also higher than the normal price of train journey.
Prior to Corona restrictions, while 45 express trains and nine passengers trains used to halt in Baleswar station, the passengers trains were all time favourite for students, daily hawkers and patients for their cheap fare.
Several rail users, mainly the intellectuals, alleged that the Railways was exploiting them on the pretext of Covid.
While on the one hand only special trains are running with higher fares, on the other, the Railways is not extending the concession to all approved categories.
Reports said out of 58 categories of passengers, the concessions extended currently have got reduced to 38 only. As a result, the senior citizens, sports persons and students, etc are deprived of the concession facilities.
Sources said that there won’t be any major changes of train running till September end and only special trains would run through the route.
Regarding the issue, Station Manager Bikash Chandra Bera said only special trains are having stoppages in Baleswar these days. He mentioned that he had no idea when all the suspended trains, including express and passenger trains, would run.