Railways cancel and divert several trains following the blockade of farmers on February 18th

In the wake of a rail blockade that farmers called on February 18 to protest the three controversial agriculture laws, Indian Railways cancelled many trains in the north, especially in Punjab.

The trains cancelled are mainly those that on February 16-19 either start or are bound for the state. Among the trains cancelled by the northern railways are 05211 Darbhanga-Amritsar Express from 16 February onwards and 05212 Amritsar-Darbhanga Express from 17 February onwards.

The following trains will be partially cancelled: 

• 02715 Nanded-Amritsar Express beginning on February 17 will be short terminated at Chandigarh;
• 02716 Amritsar-Nanded Express will begin at Chandigarh on February 19;
• 08237 Korba-Amritsar Express train on February 17 will be short terminated at Ambala:
• 08238 Amritsar-Korba Express will start from Ambala on February 19;
• 09613 Ajmer-Amritsar Express train journey on February 17 will be short terminated at Jallandhar City,
• 09612 Amritsar-Ajmer Express will start from Jalandhar city on February 18.

The following trains will be diverted:

• 02903 Mumbai Central-Amritsar Express beginning February 16 will be diverted through Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar;
• 02904 Amritsar-Mumbai Central Express beginning February 17 will be diverted via Amritsar-Tarntaran-Beas;
• 02925 Bandra Terminus-Amritsar Express on February 17 will be diverted through Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar;
• 02926 Amritsar-Bandra Terminus Express on February 17 will be diverted via Amritsar-Tarntaran-Beas;
• 04673/04649 Jaynagar-Amritsar Express on February 17 will be diverted via Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar;
• 04650/04674 Amritsar-Jaynagar Express on February 17 will be diverted via Amritsar-Tarntaran-Beas;
• 04652 Amritsar-Jaynagar Express on February 17 will be diverted via Amritsar-Tarntaran-Beas route;
• 04654 Jaynagar-Amritsar Express on February 17 will be diverted via Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar;
• 02407 New Jalpaiguri-Amritsar Express beginning on February 17 will be diverted via Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar;
• 02054 Amritsar-Haridwar Express beginning on February 17 will be diverted via Beas-Tarntaran-Amritsar;
• 02053 Haridwar-Amritsar Express on February 17 will be diverted via Amritsar-Tarntaran- Beas.

Meanwhile, Sukhdev Singh Kokri, BKU (Ekta) General Secretary, said that the railway blockade would last for four hours between noon and 4 pm.

Since their protests on the border with Delhi began in November, protesting farmers have taken over toll booths in several parts of the country and allowed vehicles to pass free of charge. The step irked the central and many state governments immensely, who sought to take back the toll plazas.

Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/railways-cancel-divert-many-trains-in-wake-of-farmers-%C2%A0blockade-on-february-18-213246