Ludhiana: NRMU members halt Ferozepur-Chandigarh train

The Northern Railway Majdoor Union (NRMU) members held a protest at Ludhiana Railway Station and stopped the Ferozepur-Chandigarh Mail express, leaving passengers harassed here on Tuesday.

The Northern Railway Majdoor Union (NRMU) members held a protest at Ludhiana Railway Station and stopped the Ferozepur-Chandigarh Mail express, leaving passengers harassed here on Tuesday.

The protest was against the railway board for allocating the plying of the Ferozepur-Chandigarh Mail express train to the Ambala division crew.

The train was scheduled to leave the Ludhiana station at 9.40am but due to the protest, it left at 11.45am.

Divisional secretary of NRMU Ferozepur division Daljeet Singh said, “At first, the Ferozepur-Chandigarh train was given to the Ferozepur division crew but now when it was started on daily basis, it was given to the Ambala division. We had talked to the administration and authorities many times regarding this, but they did not pay heed to our demands, thus we had to protest.”

The union also changed the crew of the Chandigarh-Amritsar inter-city train during the protest. The union had also planned to stop Shan-e-Punjab Express train but by the time, the union reached on a settlement with the railway board.

Singh said, “Our national leaders had talked to general manager of the northern region and other authorities. They reached the conclusion that the Ferozepur-Chandigarh Mail express will be run by the Ferozepur division from Ferozepur to Ludhiana and from Ludhiana to Chandigarh, it will be run by the Ambala division crew.”

“Moreover, the authorities also promised us that a new train from Kalka to Katra will be given to the Ferozepur division crew, which will be started soon,” added Singh.

Divisional traffic manager (DTM) Ferozepur division Ludhiana SP Singh Bhatia said, “The Ferozepur-Chandigarh Mail express was detained by union members due to some inter-divisional dispute. But as later on matter was discussed on higher level and reached on settlement, the train departed at 11.45am.”