Multiple trains cancelled over protests raging across Bengal
Kolkata: Several trains were cancelled due to the ongoing protests over the controversial Citizenship Act in Bengal on Sunday.
"Katihar-Howrah Express, Howrah-Guwahati Saraighat Express, Sealdah-Bamanhat Uttar Banga Express and Seladah-Alipurduar Junction Kanchan Kanya Express remained cancelled on Sunday," said an official of Eastern Railway.
Train movement was obstructed at Bhyabla Halt of the Barasat-Hasnabad Section of Sealdah Division from 8.17 am to 08.24 am, affecting punctuality of one Down EMU train and at Magrahat station of Baruipur-Diamond Harbour Section of Sealdah Division, from 9.44 am to 9.53 am, affecting punctuality of four EMU trains. Protests against the amended Citizenship Act continued to rock various parts of the state for the third consecutive day on Sunday. The act seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, after facing religious persecution there.
"Consequent upon agitation at different places, train movement in Nalhati-Azimganj, Azimganj-New Farakka and Krishnanagar-Lalgola section is yet to resume," said an official of Eastern Railway (ER). Train movement of South Eastern Railway (SER) that was affected because of the violence in the last two days at different stations, is gradually resuming normalcy. Both SER and ER have been constantly updating the passengers on the cancellation and rescheduling of trains on social media. According to sources, the SER has incurred a loss of over Rs 12 crore due to vandalism at various stations and cancellation of trains on Friday and Saturday.
"We have submitted the primary report of damage till Saturday to the Railway Board. Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express and Santragachi-Puducherry Special will remain cancelled tomorrow (December 16) due to want of rake. Howrah-Digha Tamralipta Express leaving Howrah on December 15 also remained cancelled for the same reason," an SER official pointed out.