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New Delhi : Railways continue to lose revenue as Freight operations remain forcibly suspended due to tracks blockages in Punjab. Till date more than 2,225 freight rakes carrying vital commodities could not be operated upon. Loss already expected to have crossed Rs 1,200 crore.
Agitators have continued dharna on 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 especially around Jandiala, Nabha, Talwandi Sabo, and Bathinda As per the report at 6 am on November 4, 2020, the agitation was continuing at 32 Places, according to a PIB release.
Minister of Railways had written to CM Punjab Government on October 26, 2020, 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 1,350 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 have remained struck for periods up to 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 Foodgrains, Container, Automobile, Cement, Pet coke, Fertiliser etc.has taken a hit. Average Loss of Loading 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, Fertiliser, POL etc. are not being able to reach to key locations in Punjab. Average Loss per day is about 30 rakes.
Kisan Agitation in Punjab: Background : On September 24. 2020, Kisan in Punjab region started blocking railway tracks and stations. From October 1, 2020, onwards, all movements had to be suspended as agitation spread all over Punjab which affected complete train operations under Firozpur Division, partially in Punjab area of Ambala , Delhi and Bikaner Division. Later on,
Conditional Goods train movement was allowed from October 22, 2020, 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.