Rail users demand swift action as delays disrupt travel schedules.
Key Points:
Passengers face frequent train delays in Chakradharpur division.
Rail users urge Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to address issues.
Freight trains are prioritized, causing additional passenger train delays.
JAMSHEDPUR – Persistent train delays in the Chakradharpur division are severely impacting passengers, prompting widespread frustration and calls for urgent action.
Frequent delays, often hours long, have become a routine issue in the South Eastern Railway’s Chakradharpur division. Rail users have repeatedly raised concerns about the problem but claim their grievances remain unaddressed. Trains are often held at outer signals or stations, such as Adityapur, where even premium trains like the Vande Bharat Express are delayed for long durations.
Passengers Demand Accountability
Kumar Abhishek, representing the Jharkhand Rail Users group, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the apathy of railway authorities. He stated, “The repeated delays are a serious issue, and nothing substantial is being done to resolve them.” Other users, like Mritunjay Gupta, also emphasized that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw must intervene urgently.
Meanwhile, local rail users pointed out that freight trains are prioritized over passenger services. The Hatia-Tatanagar MEMU, for instance, often takes over five hours to cover a distance of 171 km and frequently halts unnecessarily, adding to passengers’ frustration.
Calls for Infrastructure Improvements
In addition to delays, passengers highlighted that freight traffic on the Tatanagar-Gamharia route exacerbates the problem. Rail users are urging the government to expedite the construction of a dedicated freight corridor (DFC) and improve coordination within zones to ensure passenger services are not disrupted.
“Passengers’ time is equally valuable,” said Dharm Raj, another rail user. Despite the Ministry of Railways announcing several initiatives, including running over 7,000 special trains, transparency and operational efficiency remain significant concerns.
Railway authorities have yet to respond to these persistent complaints. Local MPs and rail users have appealed for immediate parliamentary intervention to address these critical issues.
