Gujjar agitation brings heavy loss to UPSRTC, Railways

Agra, May 26 (UNI) The Gujjar agitation in Rajasthan continues to take heavy toll of Uttar Pradesh revenue with UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) and Indian Railways incurring heavy monetary lossess.

The agitation has severely affected the road and rail routes on UP and Rajasthan border, with tourism being one of the casualties.

The roadways and railways are bearing losses to the tune of several lakhs each day, sources said.

A bus depot spokesman here said ''the plying of buses on Jaipur road is halted, even the movement of buses on Jaipur, Dholpur and Gwalior roads continued to be affected today.'' As Rajasthan bound buses have been stranded in the Taj city, the passengers and tourists are making arrangements in dharamshalas.

Similarly, railways is loosing money, as about 40 trains remained affected.

''In fact, the railways has opened additional counters for cancellation of such journey tickets without any charge,'' Northern Central railway public relation officer Bhupendra Kaur Dhillan said.

As per reports, agitators had blocked rail routes and uprooted tracks at several points in the furore.

The Gujjar community is demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Rajasthan.

UNI JAS SP KN1629