Quixplained: Why aren’t trains running in Punjab?

The protesting farmers claim to have vacated all the tracks but says they will only allow goods trains to run. The Railways, however, has made it clear that it will either run both passengers and the goods trains or none at all.

• By: Explained Desk
• New Delhi | Updated: November 26, 2020 02:11 PM IST
2 min read

Farmers are sitting in dharnas outside 30 railway stations.

The Indian Railways insisted on Friday that services through Punjab would resume only after the state government provides an assurance of security to all trains. The unprecedented stoppage of all train services in Punjab completed its 56th day on Friday. A total 2,352 passenger trains have been cancelled or diverted since farmers began a protest in September against the Centre’s new farm laws.

Farmers in Punjab have been protesting against the three agriculture laws — The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 — since they were passed by the Parliament.

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The protesting farmers claim to have vacated all the tracks but says they will only allow goods trains to run. The Railways, however, has made it clear that it will either run both passengers and the goods trains or none at all. 📣 Express Explained is now on Telegram

Why have Punjab farmers organised ‘rail roko’ More than passengers, railway lines in Punjab have developed and evolved essentially in response to the needs of freight movement. The protesting farmers claim to have vacated all the tracks but says they will only allow goods trains to run. The Railways, however, has made it clear that it will either run both passengers and the goods trains or none at all. The railways have lost Rs 1500 crore as the supply of essential commodities have been affected due to the protest A total 2,352 passenger trains have been cancelled or diverted since farmers began a protest in September against the Centre’s new farm laws.

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