Movement of trains resumes in Punjab after calling off of ‘Rail Roko’ agitation by farmers

Two days after Punjab farmers' unions called off their months-long ‘Rail Roko’ agitation for two weeks, movement of goods train resumed in Ferozepur division on Monday.

According to a communique by Rajesh Kumar Aggarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Ferozepur, one goods train loaded with gypsum started from Jammu today afternoon at 2 pm and will reach Lucknow tonight. “One empty BTPN (Bogie Tank Wagon for loading of Petrol) has also started from Ferozepur to Delhi today afternoon,” he said .

The DRM added that following the checking of tracks throughout the night by various inspection teams, foot-to-foot checking was also done in daylight. “Following the reports, the trains were resumed,” he said, adding that the ‘Golden Temple Mail’ from Mumbai Central to Amritsar, which was earlier being short terminated at Ambala, will reach Amritsar tonight. Similarly, train service on Amritsar-Haridwar sector will also resume from tomorrow morning. The other trains, including Ferozepur-Dhanbad Express, will also resume service.

The PTI reported that other trains which will resume by tomorrow include Paschim Deluxe Express Covid-19 Special (02925), Saryu-Yamuna Covid-19 Special (04649), Amritsar Shatabadi Covid Special (02029), Dhanbad-Ferozepur Covid-19 Special (03307), Nagpur-Amritsar Covid-19 Special (02025), Begampura Festival Special (02237) and Gorakhpur Jammu-Tawi Amarnath Festival Special (02587).

The Railways on October 26 postponed the movement of goods trains which had resumed on October 23.

The development comes two days after Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh succeeded in breaking the imbroglio over the suspension of train services in the state, with the farmer unions acceding to his appeal and announcing complete lifting of the rail blockade from November 23.