Railways cancel, divert many trains in wake of farmers’  blockade on February 18

Tribune News Service
Moga, February 16

Indian Railways have cancelled several trains in the north—in Punjab particularly—in the wake of a railway blockade that farmers have called on February 18 to protest the three controversial agriculture laws.

The trains cancelled are mostly ones that either start or are destined for the state on February 16-19. Among the trains northern railways have cancelled are 05211 Darbhanga-Amritsar express beginning on February 16 and the return train, 05212 Amritsar-Darbhanga Express on February 17.

The following trains will be partially cancelled: 02715 Nanded-Amritsar Express beginning on February 17 will be short terminated at Chandigarh and 02716 Amritsar-Nanded Express will begin at Chandigarh on February 19; 08237 Korba-Amritsar Express train on February 17 will be short terminated at Ambala and the 08238 Amritsar-Korba Express will start from Ambala on February 19; 09613 Ajmer-Amritsar Express train journey on February 17 will be short terminated at Jallandhar City, and 09612 Amritsar-Ajmer Express will start from Jalandhar city on February 18.

The following trains will be diverted: 02903 Mumbai Central-Amritsar Express beginning February 16 will be diverted through Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar; 02904 Amritsar-Mumbai Central Express beginning February 17 will be diverted via Amritsar-Tarntaran-Beas; 02925 Bandra Terminus-Amritsar Express on February 17 will be diverted through Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar;  02926 Amritsar-Bandra Terminus Express on February 17 will be diverted via Amritsar-Tarntaran-Beas; 04673/04649 Jaynagar-Amritsar Expresson February 17 will be diverted via Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar; 04650/04674 Amritsar-Jaynagar Express on February 17 will be diverted via Amritsar-Tarntaran-Beas; 04652 Amritsar-Jaynagar Express on February 17 will be diverted via Amritsar-Tarntaran-Beas route; 04654 Jaynagar-Amritsar Express on February 17 will be diverted via Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar;

02407 Newjalpaiguri-Amritsar Express beginning on February 17 will be diverted via Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar; 02054 Amritsar-Haridwar Express beginning on February 17 will be diverted via Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar; 02053 Haridwar-Amritsar Express on February 17 will be diverted via Amritsar-Tarntaran- Beas.

Meanwhile, Sukhdev Singh Kokri General Secretary of the BKU (Ekta) said that the railway blockade will last four hours from noon to 4 pm.

Since the beginning of their protests on Delhi borders in November, protesting farmers have taken over toll plazas in several parts of the country and allowing vehicles to pass for free. The move had hugely irked the central and several state governments, which have been trying to take back the toll plazas.