AC coach suspended in Tebhaga Express

Balurghat: In a recent move by the Railways, the sole air-conditioned coach of Kolkata bound Tebhaga Express from Balurghat has been suspended.

Passengers have expressed their widespread dissatisfaction and resentment over the decision, particularly during the advent of summer in the region.

"This is very unfortunate that the Railways has taken the decision to withdraw the only air-conditioned compartment from the Tebhaga Express. Railway should rollback the decision immediately," said an utterly dissatisfied local, Raktim Bhattacharjee.

Another passenger, a bank employee named Subrata Dutta, who works at Balurghat but actually is a permanent resident of Kolkata said: "I use to avail the train from Balurghat. Air-conditioned

compartment helps the journey and makes it comfortable all along during scorching summer heat."

Notably on the basis of passengers' demand, the rail had included the compartment in the Tebhaga Express on May 3, 2017. The fare was fixed at Rs 505.

"We were in complete darkness regarding the decision. It is unfortunate to suspend the air-conditioned compartment. We will send a letter to the chairman of the rail board of North-East Frontier railway asking for explanation. We will conduct rail-roko at Balurghat and other parts of the district along at Eklakhi, if we receive any negative reply," said the general secretary of the forum, Pijush Kanti Deb.