Many trains delayed, cancelled as waterlogging woes continue

The train service was not normal, despite much effort of South-eastern and Eastern Railway on Thursday. Many trains were delayed which led to furious passengers lodging protest in various stations.

Few trains were cancelled like Panskura Howrah, Howrah Amta, Mecheda Hoarah, Uluberia-Bagnan-Kulgachia Local.

“I am frustrated with the performance of the rail authority. The rain has stopped, the deep depression, low pressure of weather is no more, but we are still standing in knee deep water. It is really frustrating,” said Rachana Saha, a college student who travels from Hooghly to Kolkata on a daily basis to attend her classes.

However, the Railway informed that all the Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains would reach the Howrah station and will head towards Kharagpur as passenger trains.

Keeping in mind the inundation situation, the South-Eastern Railways had decided that all Howrah-bound trains will be stopped at Santragachi station till the situation improved. All the up mail and express trains will also be started from Santragachi instead of Howrah. But on Thursday, some of the long distance trains, which waited till two-three hours in the terminal, went to their destinations.

However, the Sealdah Division, which witnessed minor waterlogging remained normal on Thursday as the train service was timely.

“The eastern and south eastern railway should ensure that no passenger be trapped in the waterlogging outside the rail station and no train should be delayed,” said an elderly man, who came from Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, Eastern Railway has appointed a consultant to find a remedy to waterlogging of railway tracks at Howrah and adjoining areas, which affected train services for three days since Monday night, an official said here on Thursday.

“A consultant has been appointed for finding a remedy to waterlogging of tracks at Howrah and Tikiapara. A report by the consultant is expected by February,” ER general manager Ghanshyam Singh said at a function here.

“It is expected that the problem will be taken care of next monsoon,” he said while speaking about the disruption of train services of Eastern Railway at Howrah, one of the busiest terminal stations in the country, following Monday’s heavy rains that caused waterlogging of tracks.

Stating that Tikiapara area is “like a saucer”, he said water accumulated there very easily in case of a heavy downpour.