Over 2,000 trains cancelled during Agnipath protests between June 15 & June 23: Railway Minister

Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament on Friday about loss to Railways due to protests

Protesters shout slogans after setting a train on fire during a demonstration against the government's new 'Agnipath' recruitment scheme for the army, navy, and air forces at a railway station in Secunderabad on June 17, 2022. Credit:AFP Photo

The Indian Railways suffered damage and destruction worth Rs 259.44 crore during the violent agitations against Agnipath scheme, Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament on Friday.

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Vaishnaw stated: “During the period 14.06.2022 to 30.06.2022, a total refund of approximately Rs 102.96 crore was granted on account of cancellation of trains and a loss of Rs 259.44 crore due to damage / destruction of railway assets in agitations against Agnipath scheme was incurred.”

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Between June 15–23, a total of 2,132 trains were cancelled because of the protests against the new army recruitment scheme. All affected train services, cancelled on account of protests, were restored gradually, the minister said.

Amidst mass protests in several parts of the country against the Agnipath army recruitment scheme, railway property was vandalised—torched or destroyed—or attacked in states from Bihar to Telangana. The worst-hit zone was the East Central Railways—that covers Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh—which witnessed widespread protests.

Vaishnaw also told the Upper House that separate data, regarding the amount of refund given to passengers due to public disorder-induced disruption of rail services, because of the agitations, was not maintained.

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