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Rail passengers continue to suffer due to cancellations

Staff Reporter

The SER has faced losses of Rs.100 crore since June 17
Major changes in the SER’s timetable from July 1

KOLKATA: Passengers bound for south India from the eastern parts of the country continue to suffer due to cancellation of trains by the South Eastern Railway (SER) authorities for restoration work.

The tracks along the east coast were severely damaged in the recent floods in West Bengal. “ The SER has faced losses to the tune of Rs.100 crore since June 17 when flash floods in Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal washed away the railway tracks, disrupting train service in the section,” Archana Srivastava, SER’s deputy chief commercial manager (customer interaction) said here on Thursday.

“Restoration work is almost complete in the stretch between Narayangarh and Bakhrabad and we hope to run passenger trains on that route from July 1. One of the tracks could be restored and the second track will take another six months to be repaired.”

The SER has started running goods trains on the affected track to test the compaction and strength. Stone chips, sand, cement and ballast are being used to repair embankments.

Twelve pairs of trains were cancelled on Thursday while four trains were diverted. Ms. Srivastava said extra coaches were added to the Chennai Mail and the Puri Express to help the stranded passengers. The SER was refunding money to passengers whose trains were cancelled or re-routed.

Trains on the Digha-Shalimar section of the SER were cancelled for the third consecutive day following flood-affected people of Purbo Medinipur district blocking the tracks with demand of relief.

Major changes in the SER’s timetable will come into effect from July 1, including introduction of 10 pairs of new trains, increase in frequency of five pairs of express trains, change in timings of existing trains and diversion of service.

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