Railways lose Rs 1,200 crore due to farmers' stir at 32 places

Amid the farmers protest at 32 locations in several parts of Punjab and Haryana the Railways has lost revenue from freight to the tune of Rs 1200 crore the Railway Ministry said on WednesdayA railway spokesperson in a statement said the Railways continue to lose revenue as freight operations remain forcibly suspended due to the track blockages in PunjabTill Date more than 2225 freight rakes could not be operated upon carrying vital commodities Loss already expected to have crossed Rs 1200 crore already the spokesperson saidHe said that the agitators have continued dharna at platforms and near railway tracks Train movement again suspended due to operational and safety considerations as agitators have suddenly stopped some train movements and sporadic blockade continued at various places especially around Jandiala Nabha Talwandi Sabo and Bathinda he saidHe said as per the report at 6 am on Wednesday the farmers agitation was continuing at 32 places 31 in Northern Railway and one in North Western Railway divisionFarmers are protesting against the three controversial Agriculture Bills that were passed in Parliament in SeptemberRailway Minister Piyush Goyal had written to Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on October 26 seeking assurance about the safety of tracks and running staff to resume operationsThe official said that due to the continued blockages at sections of tracks in Punjab there has been a major adverse impact on the freight movement and hence on the availability of vital commodities for the farm industrial and infrastructure sector as wellHe said that all passenger trains passing through the state of Punjab have been adversely impacted and till date more than 1350 passenger trains have been cancelled diverted or short terminatedAll inward and outward goods transportation including essential commodities have been affected adversely in Punjab Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh Number of freight trains including loaded trains remained stuck as such for periods upto 1520 days he saidThe official also pointed out that many freight customers after having suffered business losses are getting diverted to other modes of transportationThe farmers agitation started on September 24 in Punjab after blocking railway tracks and stations From October 1 onwards all movements had to be suspended as agitation spread all over Punjab which affected complete train operations in Firozpur Division partially in Punjab area of Ambala Delhi and Bikaner DivisionThe Railways resumed operation of limited goods trains on October 22 However within two days the services were again suspended due to operational and safety considerations as sporadic blockade continued at various places especially around Amritsar Nabha Talwandi Sabo Firozpur Moga Jandiala and BathindaKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever