Farmers’ protest causes ₹ 1200 crore loss to railways

New Delhi, Nov 04: Railways continue to lose revenue as Freight operations remain forcibly suspended due tracks blockages in Punjab. Till Date more than 2225 freight rakes could not be operated upon carrying vital commodities. Loss already expected to have crossed ₹ 1200 crore already.

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 As per the report at 6 am today the agitation continued in 32 Places, according to PIB release.

Minister of Railways had written to CM Punjab Government on Oct 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 farm, industrial and infrastructure sector as well.

All passenger trains passing through the state of Punjab has 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.

All inward and outward Goods transportation including essential commodities have been affected adversely in Punjab , J&K, Laddakh 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 mode of transportation.

Outward Loading too has been affected from Punjab Area . Movement of Foodgrain, Container, Automobile, Cement, Pet coke, Fertilizer etc.has taken a hit Average Loss of Loading per day in Punjab is 40 rakes per day.

Inward Traffic to Punjab has been affected (Outward from other than Punjab Area) and now Container, Cement, Gypsum, Fertilizer, POL etc.are not being able to reach to key locations in Punjab.

Average Loss per day is about 30 rakes per day.

Kisan Agitation in Punjab: Background

On Sept 24 farmers in Punjab region started blocking railway tracks and stations. From Oct 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 Oct 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

Blockages still continue in several sections of tracks. Running of trains is extremely risky if protestors are not in control.  At 6 am today agitation was being held at 32 places.