VARANASI: The train operations that had been severely hit by the widespread anti-Agnipath protests, especially as the protesters targeted trains by pelting stones and setting some ablaze are now returning to normalcy gradually.
The East Central Railway (ECR) and North Eastern Railway (NER) are restoring the train schedule, which was disrupted with cancellation of several trains due to violent protest. While the ECR resumed operations of 58 long-distance trains on Tuesday, the NER will start the cancelled trains from Thursday.
“Work is being done round the clock to restore the trains suspended due to violent protests. The 58 long distance express trains, which were cancelled due to protest, were started on Tuesday,” said ECR CPRO Virendra Kumar.
The remaining long distance express trains will be started immediately as soon as rakes are available, he said. The operation of Express/Intercity trains and major passenger trains started on Wednesday, while the operation of other passenger trains will start in a phased manner as per the availability of rakes.
Train operations hit by anti-Agnipath violence back on track finally The NER had cancelled, short terminated and rescheduled many trains due to violent protests.
NER CPRO Pankaj Kumar Singh said the protests impacted the operations of 52 trains on June 17, 90 trains on June18 and 94 trains on June 20.
A train was set afire at Ballia railway station, which was ransacked by protestors on June 17 while Kuchhman station in Chandauli was ransacked on June 18.
Commissioner of police A Satish Ganesh said, “Apart from deployment of police and paramilitary forces, officials kept sharp vigil in all areas, especially at railway stations and bus stands. There was no impact of Bharat Bandh call in the 10 districts of Varanasi zone on June 20.”
ADG Varanasi zone Ram Kumar said no protest took place as massive checking drives were carried out at borders in coordination with GRP and RPF.
Widespread protests had erupted against the newly introduced Agnipath short-term recruitment scheme in the armed forces.