Jamshedpur: Over 350 trains including long-distance passenger trains under Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railway were either delayed or affected between 1st to 11th April due to free movement of cattle or elephants around rail track.
This has resulted in 352 trains passing through this division either affected or delayed, causing total time loss of 1228.09 minutes (over 51 hours) during the period.
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Chakradharpur division of S E Rly on Tuesday appealed the owners not to let their catlle free around railway tracks as it would not only threatens the security and safety of trains but affecting train service adversely.
Between 2nd to 11th April, altogether 24 trains were detained for 11 hour 19 minutes (679 minutes) due to movement of cattle in and around rail track at various places under the division, railways said.
Similarly, the movement of wild elephants also affected services of 328 trains between 1st to 9th April in the division.
The impact on train operation was witnessed on Tata-Jharsuguda-Nuagaon-Rourkela section of the division, causing total time loss of 549.09 minutes.
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Asked about action initiated against the cattle owner, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Aditya Kumar Choudhary said Chakradharpur division has launched regular awareness drive in nearby villages and urged them not to let their cattle loose in and around rail tracks as it affect the train services and also threatened the life of cattle.
Besides, railways have also been conducting “Nukkard natak” (street corner play) to aware the masses, he said.
To a query about the casualty of cattle during the period, Choudhary said though he did not have exact figures but suspect it to be around three dozens at various places of the division.
Meanwhile, Janata Dal (United) legislator Saryu Roy has threatened to announce next phase of agitation in protest against late running of passenger trains passing through Tatanagar station of the division.
Led by Roy, a former Jharkhand Minister, Rail Yatri Sangharsh Samity had staged massive dharna in front of Tatanagar station here on 7th April last demanding railways to ensure to and fro passenger trains fron Tatanagar station operate as per scheduled tume, Roy in a statement on Minday said.
Roy alleged the Up and Down passenger trains have been running much behind its schedule time, which causes immense difficulty to passengers, for last over two years.
Accusing railways of prioritizing goods trains over passenger trains, Roy said Tatanagar Railway Area Manager had visited him yesterday to apprise that adequate steps are being taken to maintain punctuality of passenger trains and even decreased number of goods trains by 2% to give preference to passenger trains.
Even Divisional Railway Manager (Chakradharpur div) had spoken to him over phone on the issue.
Roy said we do not to interfere in internal matter of railways whether they increase or decrease running of goods trains but our single point agenda was ensure punctuality of passenger trains originating or arriving Tatanagar.
