The disruption of train services between Madhyamgram and Barasat station on Tuesday by a local outfit led to harrowing time for commuters.

While 10 EMU locals had to be cancelled and 12 others were delayed for an hour-and-half, the rail authorities arranged a special train to ply between Sealdah and Bongaon to meet the passengers’ demand during the morning peak hour. This was second consecutive day when train services were disrupted. On Monday, members of Jharkand Desam Party had called a 12-hour bandh in Purulia and West Midnapore to protest against the security operations against Maoists and had blocked train and bus services. Railway officials say that there have been nearly 40 instances in this year when protestors have disrupted train services in the state. (See Box)

“Even if the blockade is lifted within a few hours, the ripple affect can be felt for nearly the entire day. Many passenger trains suffer delays sometimes by 24 hours and many long-distance trains also have to be cancelled,” said an official of the South Eastern Railway. He further said that such delays affected the loading of the rakes causing huge financial losses.

Political parties, however, have their own explanation for the rail blockades that cause huge difficulties to passengers. “People are forced to take such extreme measures in sheer frustration against the authorities,” said Provash Ghosh, state secretary, SUCI. However, he said, there should be a distinction made between people who block the tracks out of frustration against the authorities and political parties who do it without warning. “Political parties should give warnings before invoking bandhs,” he added.

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