New Delhi: Fifty two trains, including
one of Railways` flagship trains Lucknow Mail, were cancelled on Sunday as Jat agitation continued to disrupt train movement in
several parts of North India.
The prestigious train, a sought after among commuters
between Delhi and Lucknow, was cancelled for the first time in
decades since yesterday due to the ongoing agitation by Jat
Mahasabha at Kafurpur station on Moradabad division, according
to Northern Railway.
He said agitations in several other pockets have
only worsened the situation for railways.
The agitation is also being reported from Butari
station on Amritsar- Jallandhar section, between Narvana-
Ghaso and Rohtak-Bhiwani section of Delhi division and between
Hansi-Satrod and Sadulpur-Hisar sections.
The situation has raised the worries of power
producers in Harayana too with a couple of power plants in the
state reporting a depleting stock of coal due to disruption in
rail movement, said a railway spokesperson.
The Jats are demanding 27 per cent reservation
in Central jobs under the OBC category, with their agitation
completing a week today.
According to the spokesperson, 29 trains were diverted
through other routes today and a few others terminated in
different stations.
Trains which were cancelled today included
Varanasi-New Delhi-Varanasi Kashi Vishwanath Express,
Bareilly-Bhuj-Bareilly Ala Hazrat Express, Lalgarh-Guwahati
Awadh Assam Express, Kathgodam-Delhi-Kathgodam Express,
Jaipur-Chandigarh Garibrath Express etc.
The spokesperson said three trains will remain
cancelled tomorrow and six trains will be diverted.
Worried over repeated train disruptions, Railway
Minister Mamata Banerjee in her Budget this year announced two
new trains and two new projects as a special package for those
states who ensure trouble-free train movement.
PTI
