Train delays: Repair of signal system to take two weeks

Railway authorities are working out route clearances manually now,after the automatic signalling system at Jalandhar and Phillaur was destroyed by a mob of Dera Sachkhand Ballan followers earlier in the week.

R S Ghera,Assistant Divisional Railway Manager of the Ferozepur Division,said: “The repair work is a lengthy task and could take about 10 to 12 days.”

Usually,a train takes about an hour to cover the distance between Ludhiana and Jalandhar but without proper signalling procedures,the time has stretched to three hours,said a Railways official.

Ghera denied this. “For many trains,we have reduced the delay of the Ludhiana-Jalandhar run to 15 minutes. While a normal train was taking about three to four hours earlier,now it covers the distance in one hour and fifteen minutes,” he said.

“We are utilising our maximum manual work efficiency to minimise the delays,” added Station Superintendent R K Sharma. “Most delays are caused owing to our dependency on manual work now as anti-social elements have played havoc with the rail infrastructure,” he added.

Youth crushed to death by train
A 23-year-old man was mowed down by a train while he was attempting to cross the tracks in New Janakpuri Mohalla near Salem Tabri early on Friday morning. The deceased,identified as Deepak Kumar,was headed to his sister’s house when the incident occurred,said ASI Sanjhi Ram of the Government Railway Police. The GRP has ruled out suicide. The body of the deceased was later handed over to his relatives,the police said.

Running late
To Amritsar
Lohit Express 8 hours
Amarpali Express 7.5 hours
Shaheed Express 6 hours
From Amritsar
Varanasi Express 3 hours
Jalianwala Bagh Express 4 hours