India’s oldest train, Punjab Mail yet to get nod to be back on track
Ferozepur, November 28, 2020: Due to farmers’ agitation in Punjab, the Ferozepur rail division is issuing the train operation plans on day today for short terminating, diverting or cancelling the trains. On the Ferozepur-Delhi route, the people have still to wait, till a nod from the railway headquarters and railway ministry.
The farmers have now moved to Delhi initially for two days call on Nov 26 and 27, to protest against the three controversial Farm Laws demanding its withdrawal. The farmers’ outfits have threatened to continue with the protest at Delhi till such time any decision is taken over the Farm Bills. Earlier, they had agreed to clear the rail tracks for running of goods trains followed by for passenger trains also. On the other hand, the Centre government is claiming that the bills are farmer-friendly and will benefit in a long way.
After the lockdown impact, due to Coronavirus, of closing all rail tracks, few passengers were started on relaxation for major cities but from Ferozepur border town, only one train has started so far whereas all trains have been parked for the last seven months. The closing of the Ferozepur-Delhi rail track, which is one of the busiest routes, for business men and army personnel and most convenient being a night journey, has put a lot of inconveniences.
On the other hand, the private buses running on the Ferozepur-Delhi route are charging hefty fares than the normal charges.
Four trains – Punjab Mail, Janata Express, Intercity Shndwala and Passenger Train - run on this route daily but all these trains have been cancelled by the railways for the last seven days due to Corona, Lockdown and farmers agitation, causing loss to the railways in thousands of crores.
According to DRM, Ferozepur Rajesh Aggarwal, the railway is now ready to run the trains on the Ferozepur-Delhi track but waiting for a nod from the headquarter and railway ministry. The delay in approval could be the spike in Corona cases in Delhi also and its further transmission. However, as soon as there is a green signal, the trains will start moving on this track.