3 trains cancelled, many run late

Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, December 8

It was another tough day for rail passengers travelling to and from the national capital as an Intercity Express (12460) was cancelled for today. Another pair of the Intercity Express — 14681/82 New Delhi-Jalandhar-New Delhi — was running late, while another train on this route, 12498 Amritsar-New Delhi Shane-Punjab, too ran late by half an hour.

Rail passengers are at the receiving end due to the erratic run of most of the long-route trains for nearly a month now. Despite clear weather, there seems to be no end to their ordeal in the near future.

Frequent travellers to Delhi/New Delhi said the disrupted rail traffic for over a month had created an uncertainty over the schedule of trains. “One never knows when a train will be cancelled, short terminated or delayed by hours, making it tough for those wanting to travel to Delhi and return by night. Though these days weather has been good and sunny, travelling by road isn’t difficult, but if region gets engulfed in fog, we usually prefer traveling by trains,” said a businessman, Ravi Singh, who frequently travels to Delhi.

According to the railways, 14674 Shaheed Express, 12460 New Delhi Intercity Express and 15210 Amritsar –Saharsa Jansewa Express were cancelled for the day.

Further, the 12715 Nanded-Amritsar Sachkhand Express was running late by nine hours while 12009 Shatabdi Express was running late by 40 minutes to 1 hour. Most of the trains connecting Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal with this region are either being rescheduled or running behind schedule by four to eight hours.

According to railways officials, 12408 Amritsar-Newjalpaiguri Karambhoomi Express, 02136 Jammu-Pune AC Weekly Superfast Express (2.10 hours), 14649 Jaynanagr-Amritsar Saryu-Yamuna Express ( 6 hours), 15209 Saharsa-Amritsar Jansewa Express (2 hours), 22706 Jammu-Tirupati Express (3 hours), 13049 Howrah-Amritsar Express (1.15 hours) and 12238 Jammu-Varanasi Begumpura Express (1.20 hours) — were running late or either rescheduled.

Intending to travel to New Delhi by 12460 Amritsar-New Delhi Intercity Express which was cancelled for the day, businessman Surinder Marwaha said the cancellation, delay of trains had become a routine for months. “The railways ought to be sensitive to the inconvenience caused to passengers as they are left to fend for themselves in such situations, with no alternative provided to them except for boarding other trains without reservation or travel by road.”

Passengers were found making a beeline at the enquiry counters and sitting on the platforms, waiting for trains for hours. They also complained that the online apps were showing the arrival of trains at the right time, whereas the situation was completely opposite when they arrived at the station as the same trains were late for many hours.