Railway passengers demand restoration of cancelled trains

The rush of passengers at the Amritsar railway station shows no signs of easing despite the introduction of several special trains. Commuters have demanded the immediate restoration of train services that were cancelled two to three months ago due to dense fog in the region. They argue that the introduction of special trains has had only a limited impact on managing the heavy passenger load.

The daily Amritsar-Chandigarh Intercity Express, the weekly Kolkata-Amritsar service, the weekly Amritsar-Dibrugarh train, Amritsar-Purnia Court, Amritsar-Gorakhpur and the Amritsar-Kolkata train, popularly known as the Akal Takht Express, continue to remain suspended. While the Railways has restored some trains in recent days, passengers are demanding that the remaining services be resumed in view of the clear weather and rising temperatures.

Another demand raised by passengers and vendors is the parking of more trains at platform number one for their convenience. They pointed out that trains such as the Amritsar-Delhi Intercity Superfast Express, which departs at 6.10 am, and the Amritsar-Bandra Paschim Express are no longer stationed at this platform.

The Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi Express was also not parked at platform number one in December. Similarly, other trains are not being stationed there for boarding and de-boarding of passengers.

Railway authorities do not operate any other train from platform number one after the departure of the Jammu-Tatanagar (Tata Mori) train at 7.50 pm. Earlier, the daily Amritsar-Dehradun Express, popularly known as the “Phulan Wali Gaddi”, and the thrice-a-week Jammu-Hirakud Express used to originate from platform number one. These trains are now being handled at platforms three, four and five.

Passengers alleged that unnecessary shunting operations are being conducted at platform number one, which is equipped with better amenities, including air-conditioned and general waiting halls, toilets, improved seating arrangements, maximum food stalls and 24x7 operational ticket windows. They said that after securing berths on trains stationed at other platforms, they have to walk back to platform number one to access essential facilities and purchase items.

Divisional Railway Manager Sanjeev Kumar stated that in view of the upcoming Holi festival, Ferozepur division is operating eight pairs of festival special trains for passenger convenience. The first Holi special train was on Friday operated from Amritsar to Katihar, and the second from Amritsar to Patna, both departing with more than 100 per cent occupancy.

A Holi special train (04610) will run from Amritsar to Mansi (Bihar) on February 28 at 8.10 pm, halting at Beas, Jalandhar City, Phagwara, Dhandari Kalan, Sirhind, Rajpura and Ambala Cantonment en route. Another Holi special train (04614) will depart from Amritsar to Katihar (Bihar) at 2.15 pm on March 1, with halts at Beas, Jalandhar City, Dhandari Kalan and Ambala cantonment.

He appealed to passengers to maintain patience and discipline. Adequate arrangements have been made for passenger convenience and travellers have been advised not to carry flammable materials. Counselling by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) is being conducted to ensure that unreserved passengers can board trains smoothly.