Trains towards troubled areas of Punjab, Haryana cancelled

The South Western Railway on Saturday cancelled two trains originating from Yeshwantpur bound for troubled areas of Haryana and Punjab.

The decision to cancel the trains was taken on Friday following large-scale violence after Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in a rape case.

The cancelled trains were the weekly Yeshwantpur-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express which was scheduled to start at 11.30 am and Yeshwantpur–Chandigarh Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express which was scheduled to start at 1.45 pm on Saturday.

“The passengers who were to travel on this train can avail the full refund of their tickets at the counters at Yeshwantpur railway station. Those who booked online will get the refund directly into their bank accounts,” a railway supervisor said.

Travel back

The cancellation put passengers to hardship as they had to travel back from the station to their respective destinations. Hundreds of passengers, including tourists and pilgrims, were stranded.

“We were not aware of the cancellation and got to know of it after the announcement at the station. Now, we must wait for another week but are not sure if we will get tickets for next week’s train,” said Manoj Sharma, a passenger.

Gian Singh, who was to attend a wedding in Ludhiana said, “We were to attend our cousin’s marriage in Ludhiana on Wednesday. We don’t have any other option and we can’t afford a flight.”