New Delhi: Indian Railways may start it's train operations in Punjab by Friday as the state government has assured the national transporter that all the blockades will be cleared by the time, informed Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav.
Addressing a virtual press conference, Yadav also mentioned that 22 blockades are still there, while 9 blockades have been removed. Railways are currently waiting for security clearances by the state government.
"22 blockades are still there. Railways are in continuous touch with the state government. We have started our maintenance work. As soon as the blockades are being removed, we'll start our services," said the Railway Official.
He further added, "There are already bookings in Passenger trains. We have urged the Punjab Government that security clearance should be given to all the passenger as well as freight trains. We want to restore our full services."
The train services were being stopped in Punjab, since October 24, under "Rail Roko" agitation of farmers against the three farm laws. Due to this, Indian Railways claimed losses of nearly Rs 1,200 crore in freight revenue with more than 2,225 goods trains suspended and 1,350 passenger trains diverted or cancelled.
On Thursday, a delegation of state's BJP and Congress leaders met Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and CRB VK Yadav. The Minister was assured that the Railway properties will be cleared so that Railways can resume it's passenger and freight services at the earliest.
Due to the agitation, all inward and outward goods transportation, including essential commodities were being adversely affected not just in Punjab, but in Jammu and Kashmir, Laddakh and Himachal Pradesh as well, said Director General of Railway Protection Force, Arun Kumar.
He also informed that Railways has asked the state government for providing additional force for some parts of the state where blockades have not been cleared.
Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal also urged the Punjab Government for assuring full safety to the railwaymen, so that the train services can be resumed in the state.