Indore/Ratlam: The quota stir, started by Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, continued to affect the railway traffic on Delhi-Mumbai route on Saturday as well. As protestors staged dharna on tracks demanding five percent reservation in state jobs and educational institutions, 36 trains passing through Ratlam rail division of Western Railways were either cancelled, terminated or diverted on Saturday. According to Ratlam rail division, several trains were either diverted or cancelled between Sawai Madhopur to Bayana -Nimoda section to Malarna block section in Kota division of Western Central Railway. The Gujjar agitation has affected smooth running of trains on West Central Railway route. Railway officials confirmed that routes of several trains were changed due to the ongoing agitation.
Bainsla has threatened to expand blockade to Tonk-Niwai route followed by blockades on the Ajmer-Bhilwara and Hadoti-Shekhawati rail routes, an agency report said, adding that he has asked his fellow protestors to remain disciplined and avoid causing damage to railway tracks, electricity poles and other properties.
As per press release issued by the Ratlam rail division, 16 trains which were cancelled due to ongoing agitation include – 12248 Nizamuddin – Bandra Terminus Express, 29019 Mandsaur-Kota Link Express, 19024 Ferozpur – Mumbai Central Janta Express, 19020 Deharadun – Bandra Terminus, 12415 and 12416 Indore-Delhi, 19021 Bandra-Lucknow Express, 12909 Garib Rath Express from Bandra terminus, 12953 Mumbai Central – Nizamuddin August Kranti Express, 1923 Mumbai Central – Ferozpur (which is to commence its journey from Mumbai Central on February 12), 19019 Dehradun Express (which is to commence its journey from Bandra terminus on February 11), 19022 Lucknow – Bandra Terminus on February 10 from Lucknow, 12910 Nizamuddin – Bandra Express on February 10 from Nizamuddin, 12954 Nizamuddin – Bandra Terminus from Nizamuddin on February 10, 29020 Kota-Mandsaur Express, 12937 Gandhidham –Howrah Express and 12938 Howrah-Gandhidham Express.
Six trains which were short-terminated include – 59811 and 59812 Jamunabridge-Ratlam passenger, which was terminated between Bayana-Kota stations, 69155 Ratlam-Mathura passenger train short-terminated at Madhopur railway station and 69156 train was run between Sawai Madhopur and Ratlam. 69155 and 69156 trains were short-terminated between Sawai Madhopur and Mathura railway station. On Sunday, 69156 Mathura – Ratlam passenger will run between Kota and Ratlam.
14 trains, which were diverted, include 12904 Golden Temple Mail from Amritsar that was on Saturday diverted to Palwal-Agra Cantt – Jhansi – Beena route, 12951 Rajdhani Express from Mumbai Central diverted to Nagda-Beena-Agra Cantt and Mathura route, 12903 Golden temple Mail from Mumbai Central to Amritsar diverted to Nagda-Beena route, 15667 Kamakhya Express diverted to Nagda-Maksi-Gwalior route, 12948 Ajeemabad Express from Patna diverted to Agra Fort –Bharatpur – Ahmedabad, 19024 Janta Express from Ferozpur diverted to Rewari- Jaipur-Swaimadhopur route, 12952 Rajdhani Express and 12954 August Kranti Express diverted to Mathura – Jhansi – Ujjain – Nagda route, 12926 Pashchim Express commencing its journey from Amritsar will run via Mathura-Jhasi-Bina -Ujjain- Nagda while 12284 Nizamuddin -Ernakulam Express will run via Mathura – Jhasi – Bina – Ujjain – Nagda.
