JAMSHEDPUR: In a powerful display of public resentment against the chronic delays of passenger trains, a massive signature campaign was organized at the Tatanagar Railway Station premises on Sunday. Held under the banner of the Rail Yatri Sangharsh Samiti, the campaign drew hundreds of frustrated commuters who braved the scorching sun to demand accountability from the railway administration.
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MLA Saryu Roy Warns of Escalating the Stir
The campaign was inaugurated by Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy, who was the first to sign the protest board. Roy delivered a scathing critique of the railway officials within the Chakradharpur Division, accusing them of prioritizing freight earnings over passenger welfare.
“The obstinacy of railway officials is deeply concerning. They need to show empathy toward passengers. If the railway management doesn’t change its ways, we will be forced to take this movement to the tracks, and no force will be able to stop us,” Roy warned.
Allegations of Misreporting: The Rajdhani Express Case
The MLA raised a serious allegation regarding the misreporting of train timings. He pointed out that while the Rajdhani Express was delayed by 50 minutes at Adityapur, the official railway app falsely showed the train had arrived at Tatanagar five minutes ahead of schedule. “Why is only the Chakradharpur division facing such delays? Is it to impress the Railway Ministry with high freight revenue at the cost of human rights?” he questioned.
Public Participation: Digital and Physical Support
Despite the intense heatwave, the atmosphere at the station was charged with energy. Two signature booths were set up—one near the main entrance of Platform 1 and another near the ticket booking office.
Spontaneous Support: Passengers exiting the station joined the campaign voluntarily, with many recording and sharing live videos on social media to spread the word.
Hybrid Protest: While many signed physical forms and whiteboards, others scanned QR codes to register their support digitally.
Whiteboards Overflow: Within hours, the dedicated whiteboards were completely covered with signatures and messages of frustration directed at the railway authorities.
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“No Magic Wand” Remark Sparks Outrage
The convener of the Rail Yatri Sangharsh Samiti, Shiv Shankar Singh, shared his disappointment after meeting with the Assistant Regional Manager (ARM). According to Singh, the official claimed he had “no magic wand” to fix train punctuality overnight.
“If they don’t have a magic wand for passenger trains, how do they ensure freight trains move without hindrance?” Singh countered. He stated that the committee’s next target would be the ARM’s office if the situation doesn’t improve.
The Road Ahead: Protests to Expand to Adityapur and Ghatshila
The Samiti announced that this movement is just the beginning. The signature campaign will soon expand to Adityapur, Gamharia, and Ghatshila. The core demand remains simple: trains departing and arriving at Tatanagar must adhere to their scheduled timings.
