1000 trains hit by Jat stir

New Delhi, Feb 21: The Jat agitation for quota has hit rail services hard in the northern states, affecting around 1000 trains with 736 trains cancelled and 105 diverted besides damage to rail property, causing a loss of Rs 200 crore to the transporter.

The important rail routes to the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, and Jammu and Kashmir have been badly affected due to the Jat agitation, said a senior Railway ministry official.

The Delhi-Rohtak-Bhatinda and Delhi-Rewari-Jaipur, Delhi-Panipat-Ambala routes are worst affected. The official said the agitating public have also led to largescale damage of railway properties and installations.

Ten stations were burnt, two railway engines and two track machines damaged by the agitating public. Tracks were also uprooted at several locations.

The loss to railways due to large scale cancellation and damage is more than Rs 200 crore now, he said.

Premier Trains like Jammu Rajdhani, Amritsar Shatabdi, Kalka and Chandigarh Shatabdi trains remained cancelled due to the ongoing stir. Uttar Sampark Kranti, Punjab Mail, Jaipur Double-Decker, Jat Mail and Himalayan Queen are amomg other popular trains that remained affected due to the agitation.

However, railway officials maintain that adequate arrangements has been made for refund of money due to the cancellation of trains. SMS messages to confirmed ticket holders have been given about the cancellations and extra counters have opened for refund of tickets.

PTI