Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 26: Even though the inter-State bus and train services were partially restored tonight from Jammu and Katra stations, thousands of passengers including the pilgrims from Mata Vaishnodevi shrine were still stranded at Katra and Jammu Railway Stations.
The normal bus and train services remained suspended on the second consecutive day today following the violence and arson in Punjab and Haryana by the supporters of Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim, convicted in a rape case.
Northern Railways authorities and security agencies after a joint meeting resolved to suspend train and inter-state bus services, as a precautionary measure, following violence in Haryana and Punjab by the supporters of Dera Sacha Sauda on Friday. A total 32 people have died and over 250 others injured in the violence so far.
Among stranded passengers, there were a large number of pilgrims returning after paying obeisance at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Katra in district Reasi.
The Jammu Railway Station was packed with heavy rush of passengers despite repeated announcements by Railways authorities about the cancellation of all scheduled trains from this station. They continued to take shelter there despite hot and humid conditions besides scarce facilities and dirty washrooms/ toilets at the Jammu stations.
“All the 21 trains have been cancelled from here for the second day as a precautionary measure,” Station Superintendant Ashwani Kumar Sharma told the Excelsior. He, however, said a Jammu-bound train from Delhi has left via Amritsar this morning and is expected to reach here later in the day, if everything goes well.
He further revealed that on Friday 18 trains including 12 from Jammu Tawi Railway Station and six from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway station, Katra and Udhampur were cancelled. Due to cancelation of trains, there was heavy rush of passengers not only at Katra but Jammu Station also. Many of them are coming forward for the cancellation and rescheduling of their tickets and huge rush has also been witnessed at the Reservation/ ticket counters. The Railway staff is facing lot of hardships with the situation created.
A senior Railways official said, “ We are monitoring the situation and a decision on resumption of the service depends on the improvement in the situation.”
He said a large number of passengers are camping at the Railway Stations, hoping early resumption of the service.
Senior Divisional Traffic Manager, Northern Railways, Jammu, Navin Kumar Jha told the Excelsior that in view of violence and law and order problem in Haryana/ Punjab, the operation of a score of trains was also suspended today. He said more rush has been generated at Jammu station and some additional force has been sought for the deployment/ protection of people and staff and maintaining law and order here. He said that DMU was operating between Udhampur-Jammu and Pathankote normally.
Meanwhile, a Railways spokesman told the Excelsior tonight that a decision has been taken to operate six trains by the Northern Railways authorities . He said Pooja Express left for its destination, Ajmer Sharief at 9.30 pm, Sialdah for Hawra- Kolkatta at 10.40 pm, Hemkund Express from Katra Station for Haridwar at 11.25 pm, Utter Sampark Kranti for New Delhi from Katra Station at 10.30 pm, Jhelum Express for Pune from Jammu at 11.25 pm while Begumpura Express for Varanasi at 11.50 pm.
He disclosed that some more trains will leave for their respective destination from Jammu and Katra, following instructions from Railways Headquarters, New Delhi.
Meanwhile, partial operation of inter-state buses from Jammu towards Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab etc was also resumed tonight. The private video buses from Jammu and Katra left for Chandigarh and Delhi tonight.
Sudershan Sharma, chairman All India Sleeper Coaches Owners Association, J&K told the Excelsior that private bus operation from Jammu for Delhi and Chandigarh has been restored late this evening. He said that normal operation including day service of the interstate buses is likely to be restored fully by tomorrow.
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