With farmers protesting and blocking the railways lines in Punjab over the new Farm Bills, the Railways continue to lose revenue and till date more than 2225 freight rakes could not be operated upon carrying vital commodities.
According to official, loss is already expected to have crossed Rs 1200 crore and agitators have continued dharna at Platforms and near Railway track.
“Train movement has been 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 As per the report at 06:00 hrs today, the agitation was continuing at Total – 32 Places,” said the official.
The Minister of Railways had also written to the Chief Minister of Punjab 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,” said the official.
“All passenger trains passing through the state of Punjab had also 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,” said the official.
“All inward and outward Goods transportation including essential commodities have been affected adversely in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. A number of freight trains including loaded trains remained struck as such for periods upto 15-20 days. Many freight customers, after having suffered business losses, are getting diverted to other modes of transportation,” he said.
“Outward Loading too has been affected from the Punjab Area . Movement of Foodgrain, Container, Automobile, Cement, Pet coke, Fertilizer has taken a hit Average Loss of Loading per day in Punjab is 40 rakes per day. While, inward Traffic to Punjab has been affected (Outward from other than Punjab Area) and now Container, Cement, Gypsum, Fertilizer, POL are not being able to reach to key locations in Punjab,” he said.