Railways Expresses Concern Over 'Rail Roko' Agitation In Punjab; Says Movement Of Essential Items Will Be Hit

Farmers began their three-day 'rail roko' protest against the recently passed farm bills. As many as 20 trains have been partially cancelled while five have been short terminated.

Photo: ABP News/PTI

New Delhi: The Railways has said the 'rail roko' agitation held in Punjab over agrarian bills will adversely affect the movement of passengers travelling on special trains as well as the loading of foodgrains and other essential items. IN PICS | Farmers In Punjab Protest Against The New Farm Bills; Start Rail Roko Agitation Farmers began their three-day 'rail roko' protest against the recently passed agrarian bills as the Ferozepur Railway division suspended the operation of special trains. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and The Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 were passed by voice vote in Rajya Sabha on Sunday. President's approval is awaited for them to become laws. "Punjab Rail Agitation will severely impact loading of foodgrains and other essential goods. It will hurt ordinary citizens and fast recovering Rail Freight and economy," a railway spokesperson said. Special passenger trains running from the Ferozepur division have been cancelled fully or partially from September 24 to 26. Many freight and parcel trains have also been rescheduled. According to the schedule, the operation of Amritsar-Haridwar train will be suspended from September 25 to 26 and the New Delhi-Jammu Tawi Express from September 24 to 26. Officials have said that Punjab loaded 990 rakes of FCI foodgrains in August this year and 816 rakes till September 23. Hence, FCI is loading over 35 rakes of food grains every day from Punjab. They added that Punjab also loads 9-10 rakes of fertilizer, cement, auto, mixed goods daily. The state also receives about 20 rakes of food grain, farm products, imported fertilizer, machinery petroleum products, coal, etc every day. Meanwhile, the Hazur Saheb Nanded-Amritsar train will not go to Amritsar and end its journey in Old Delhi. Train number 02716 will run from Old Delhi instead of Amritsar on September 25 and 26. The Dhanbad-Ferozepur Cantt train will not go to Ferozepur Cantt and end its journey at Ambala Cantt. Train number 03308 will run from Ambala Cantt from September 24 to 26 instead of Ferozepur Cantt. The Mumbai Central-Amritsar train arriving on September 24 will be brought to Ludhiana and it will end its journey at Ambala from September 25 to 26. Train number 02904 will run from Ambala from September 24 to 26 instead of Amritsar. In total, about 20 trains have been partially cancelled while five have been short suspended. Meanwhile, The farmers have demanded a separate ordinance to provide a clear provision that if any agency buys the crop of the farmer below the MSP, then legal action will be taken against it. Commission agents are also concerned that they will lose their commissions in mandis and influential agents do not want to lose grip over the farmers. (With Agency Inputs) WATCH | Navjot Singh Sidhu joins farmers' protest in Amritsar