Farmer protests in Punjab: Railways cancelled 3,090 goods trains leading to loss of Rs 1,670 crore

As many as 520 rakes of coal could not be delivered to the five power plants in Punjab, leading to a loss of Rs 550 crore to the Railways

With the suspension of train services in Punjab crossing more than 50 days due to farmers’ protest, Indian Railways continued to suffer a massive loss.

The railways cancelled 1,986 passenger services and 3,090 goods trains to the region ever since the protest started. The national transporter suffered a loss of Rs 1,670 crore in freight earnings alone due to the farmers blocking railways tracks.

The railways suffering an estimated daily loss of Rs 36 crore in freight earnings due to the suspension of services, sources in the railways said.

Though agitators said they will allow only goods trains, the railways rejected the proposal.

The railways has maintained that for the resumption of services, it needs 100 % guarantee from the state government that no trains will be disrupted and both passenger and freight trains are allowed to operate. Train services in Punjab have been suspended since September 24 due to farmers’ protests. While services were resumed for a few days in October, it was suspended again due to concerns over the safety and security of train crew members.

The farmers are protesting against three farm sector laws enacted by the central government recently — the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.