Two direct trains to Haridwar cancelled from city, passengers upset

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 21

Passengers feel highly inconvenienced as the Railways has cancelled two direct trains to Haridwar from Amritsar. The two trains are Jan Shatabdi and Dehradun express.

These trains are widely used by the people to reach Haridwar to immerse the ashes of their near and dear ones in the Ganga. Besides, these trains also offer a convenient ride to travel ahead to Dehradun and Mussorie.

A city resident, Vandana, said she reserved a sleeper for Dehradun in the train for December 24, about 20 days back. Now, she learnt from media that these two trains have been cancelled for a month. She said all kind of automobile vehicles were ferrying passengers on the highways even in foggy conditions, but the trains which run on their track dedicatedly have been stopped.

A vendor at the local railway station said these trains were highly used by families to travel to Haridwar after the death of their near and dear ones.

Ferozepur Division Railway Manager Anuj Prakash said the two trains were cancelled to accommodate the heavy rush of traffic arising out of the slowing down of trains following dense fog enveloping the region. He said average speed of trains on the foggy track has gone down to less then 60 km per hour. In this scenario, safety and security of passengers is paramount. He said the passengers who have made advance bookings in these trains could have the refund.