Commuters detain train at Jhoke railway station

Ferozepur, August 27, 2013: There is great resentment among the commuters on Ferozepur-Fazilka road and fighting for the last so many months to enhance the coaches from the existing three which are insufficient to accommodate the rush on this route.

Today, to register their protest, the commuters detained the DMU train coming from Fazilka at Jhoke Tehal Singh station for about three hours from 7.45 am to 10.30 am.

Speaking on mobile to this correspondent, Jimmy Manchanda and Ricky Bhambri said, “Due to heavy rush on Ferozpeur-Fazilka route, the three coaches cannot accommodate the passengers causing lot of inconvenience to the commuters”.

They further said, “Certain commuters have already approached the DRM on this account but no action has so far been taken.  Even on one occasion, DRM refused to meet the commuters even with prior appointment”.

Jimmy said, “The intervention of RPF officials could not pacify the agitators.  However, later on giving assurance by the SHO to take up the matter with the concerned quarters, the train was allowed to move”.

Earlier also, the commuters have shown their resentment and proposed to change the departure timing of two trains with a difference of only 20 minutes which could ease the position. 

As per the sources, the coaches have been diverted to certain new trains in Punjab and due to non-availability of the same, it is not possible to enhance the coaches. 

While talking to Inder Singh Gogia, President, NGOs, he said, the railway authorities should start new trains only when there is availability of new coaches to accommodate the passengers on the particular route.