Railways Declines To Resume Only Goods Trains In Punjab, Says 'Both Freight, Passenger Trains Will Operate Or None'
Farmers protest in Punjab against the Centre’s controversial farm legislation entered the 38th day on Saturday. The shutdown call by farmers outfits in many districts including Ludhiana, Patiala, Amritsar, Jalandhar is witnessing a widespread impact. Protesters have blocked the roads, throwing life out of the gear.
The blockade has dealt a huge blow to the industry, with the textile industry alone staring at a loss of Rs 8500 crore, whereas the condition of steel factories in Mandi Gobindgarh has also started to deteriorate.
Amid the ongoing tussle between the state government and the Centre over the operation of railways and freight trains in Punjab, the Punjab government and the farmers are constantly saying that the railway tracks have been emptied and the freight train services should start immediately as there is a shortage of many important things in the state. But the railways has turned down the request to restart freight trains services only, saying that both the freight and passenger trains will operate or none at all. According to the railways, agitating farmers have camped at many places including the railway premises, platforms and railway tracks, due to which the trains are unable to operate and no paucity with the safety of goods. In fact, the operation of train services and goods trains in Punjab has been disrupted since September 24 and due to this, the entire state is suffering a lot of damage. The continuous shutdown has disrupted electricity production in the state. In fact, due to the disruption of rail services since September 24, there is no supply of coal in the state and it is feared that if the situation does not improve soon, there may be a blackout across Punjab very soon. All this is having a very bad effect on the economy of Punjab. The Punjab Government buys extra electricity of nearly Rs 5-10 crore daily from private power plants. According to an estimate, Punjab has lost more than Rs 40,000 crore due to farmers’ agitation.
Amid the ongoing tussle between the state government and the Centre over the operation of railways and freight trains in Punjab, the Punjab government and the farmers are constantly saying that the railway tracks have been emptied and the freight train services should start immediately as there is a shortage of many important things in the state. But the railways has turned down the request to restart freight trains services only, saying that both the freight and passenger trains will operate or none at all. According to the railways, agitating farmers have camped at many places including the railway premises, platforms and railway tracks, due to which the trains are unable to operate and no paucity with the safety of goods. In fact, the operation of train services and goods trains in Punjab has been disrupted since September 24 and due to this, the entire state is suffering a lot of damage. The continuous shutdown has disrupted electricity production in the state. In fact, due to the disruption of rail services since September 24, there is no supply of coal in the state and it is feared that if the situation does not improve soon, there may be a blackout across Punjab very soon. All this is having a very bad effect on the economy of Punjab. The Punjab Government buys extra electricity of nearly Rs 5-10 crore daily from private power plants. According to an estimate, Punjab has lost more than Rs 40,000 crore due to farmers’ agitation.
Latest Videos
