Driver find it extremely dangerous to run trains with protestors squatting on tracks in Punjab

With rail blockade by farmer unions continuing at several locations in Punjab, driver find it extremely dangerous to run trains with protestors squatting on or close to the tracks.

Currently, the mail line at Jandiala near Amritsar, Nabha power plant siding, Talwandi Saboo power plant siding and HPCL Mittal refinery siding are blocked. Also, agitators are still camping at 29 locations on platforms and circulating areas.

The agitators had indicated that only a certain type of freight trains will be permitted to run — those carrying fertilizer, food grain and coal for government power houses only. Further, Government Railway Police had given memos at some locations to run only certain specific commodity trains.

According to the railways, it is not possible for to run selective freight traffic, that too after the commodity is approved by the agitators sitting on the railway Platforms.

Further, there is the possibility of some agitators getting run over due to camping near the tracks. Security of the railway staff can not be ensured in this sort of scenario, the railways said, adding that these issues have been highlighted by the railway minister to the Punjab chief minister in a recent letter.