RAIPUR: Persisting “unforeseen cancellation” of passenger trains by the railways this year for varied reasons has added to the woes of the commuters who never expected such prolonged inconvenience in the South East Central Railway (SECR) zone that covers Chhattisgarh and continues till Nagpur. Sample this: Around 5,300 trains have been cancelled this year with 77 orders issued by the profit making SECR during the past seven months.
While the passenger trains were cancelled, not a single goods train was reported to have been suspended its operation. Last Wednesday, the Railways again announced to cancel 58 trains originating or passing through Chhattisgarh from August 29 to September 6, third time this month.
SECR officials said that the instructions on cancellation are issued following the order given by the Railway Board. The initial reason for cancellation, according to them, is the persistent efforts to make way for movement of coal freight to mitigate the power crisis in several states. Other justifications cited are maintenance and non-interlocking works while commissioning of additional railway line connectivity.
The local population are unhappy and expressed their strong resentment against the decisions of railways.
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, who earlier had spoken to the railways minister to resume the trains, had shared his dejection with an indirect taunt on prime minister Narendra Modi’s mantra on his twitter handle: “Taali Bajayein, Thali Bajayein, Mombatti Jalayein”.....and further added “People are asking what should we do to stop the atrocities (by railways) happening during the festivals”.
4.23 lakh tickets cancelled in 4 months