New Delhi: The Railways has cancelled 42 passenger trains in order to prioritise coal rake transportation across the country in order to address a deficit of the critical input at thermal power plants, according to the national transporter, news agency PTI reported.
While 40 of these trains will be suspended until May 24, the remaining two will resume service by May 8.
In recent weeks, the transporter has prioritised the transit of coal rakes, dedicating 86% of its open waggons to transporting the critical commodity to power plants.
"The total number of trains cancelled is 40, which includes previously cancelled trains. Total number of trips cancelled is 1,081, which will remain cancelled till May 24," a Railways spokesperson was quoted by PTI in its report.
"While most of the affected trains (34) are in the South East Central Railway zone, the Northern Railways has cancelled eight trains, two of which will be restored by May 8," he said.
Due to the concentration on coal movement, 16 passenger specials or MEMUs have been disrupted, while 26 mail/express trains have been affected.
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Because the central government anticipates electricity consumption to surge this month, it wants to transport as much coal as possible to power plants around the country.
Following the cancellations, the Railways increased the average daily loading of coal rakes to almost 400 per day, the highest level in the last five years, according to official statistics.
(With Inputs From PTI)