Protests likely to hit train services

Jat agitation is likely to intensify further with Jat leaders threatening to block the Delhi-Ambala railway line if their demand for reservation in jobs under the OBC category is not met by March 25.

Jat agitation is likely to intensify further with Jat leaders threatening to block the Delhi-Ambala railway line if their demand for reservation in jobs under the OBC category is not met by March 25.

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The agitation is likely to result in disruption of railway services between Delhi and Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, causing shortage of vegetables, fruits and even petroleum products that come from Panipat refinery.

The agitating leaders have also threatened to cut off Delhi from the rest of North India on March 28, if the Central government fail to fulfill their demands.

Although rail traffic resumed on Delhi-Moradabad section after the intervention of the Allahabad high court, the agitation on Delhi-Bathinda section of Northern Railway and Bikaner and Jaipur division of North Western Railway is still disrupting railway services on several routes in Haryana and Rajasthan for almost two weeks now, senior railway officials said.

According to officials, 42 trains remained cancelled and routes of another 41 routes were curtailed due to the ongoing agitation. Senior railway officials said 36 trains remained cancelled and 43 trains ran on shorter routes on the day of Holi.

The TV screens on all major stations are also showing updated information and public address system are also announcing regular updates," a railway spokesperson said.

Railway officials said additional refund counters have been opened at various stations to facilitate passengers who wish to cancel their tickets.

"Refund of tickets have been made to more than 7.94 lakh passengers since March 5. The railways have refunded about R6.70 crore towards cancellation of tickets," said an official.