Farmers' protest hits rail freight service in Punjab

The indefinite 'Kisan Rail Roko' agitation in several parts of Punjab has hurt the movement of freight trains in the several states, including Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh thus impacting the economy.

New Delhi: The indefinite 'Kisan Rail Roko' agitation in several parts of Punjab has affected the movement of freight trains in several states, including Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh thus impacting the economy.

Reportedly, the Central government has directed the Railways not to send freight trains to Punjab. It would lead to the shortage of manure, coal, food supplies and other goods in the state, according to the farmers. They also added that they stopped agitating in the platform as per direction but the trains which were already in Punjab were also sent back. Northern Railways were of the stance that the freight movement has been stopped because of uncertainty on farmers agitation.

Farmers in Punjab have been agitating against the controversial Agriculture Bills passed by the Centre in Parliament last month. The farmers association has been demanding the revocation of the new farm laws.

Read:Farmers' union BKU stages protest against farm laws

The Northern Railways has cancelled and short terminated several passenger trains in view of the farmers' agitation. Northern Railways spokesperson, Deepak Kumar said, "With the stoppage of the freight train services, it is difficult to assure our valued customer that their goods will reach their destination on time."

He said the transport of coal, cement, fertilizers and containers have been hit maximum by the stoppage of the freight train services in view of farmers agitation. Kumar said that the Northern Railway runs about 50 to 70 freight trains on an average per day covering Punjab, J&K and parts of Himachal Pradesh.

(With inputs from IANS)