Railways cannot run trains on farmers’ terms: DRM

Farm Bills Row : Peaceful protest by farmers lauded

Railways cannot run the trains with dictated terms by the farmers: DRM

Ferozepur, November 5, 2020: While conveying thanks to the farmer’s outfits for peaceful agitation on the railway tracks and platforms over the three Farm Bills, making no loss to the property, Rajesh Aggarwal, Divisional Rail Manager –DRM, Ferozepur Division, reacted over the stopping of goods trains at certain places saying that railways cannot be dictated by the farmers about the operation of particular trains.

DRM categorically said, “Either the railway will run the trains or not but the farmers cannot give directions to the railways.  It is the responsibility of civil police and GRP to ensure the running of rail on the tracks properly and safely to providing the favourable atmosphere”.

So far, there has been no loss to the property of the railways and our RPF staff are also keeping an eye on it, said DRM.

He said, the railways is very anxious to run the trains but for running the operations, security and planning are two important factors and without these, it would not be appropriate to run the trains.

The train’s operations were stopped from October 1 and in between it was allowed for two days and about 175 trains were started in Punjab but the stopping of trains selectively at certain places and returning of empty coaches and it creates a situation of uncertainty.  If the train is running on the track and if the protesters suddenly come before it, it is very difficult to control their sentiments but it increases the chances of run over.  The railway will never like the loss of any human life.  Under these circumstances, the movement of goods trains has also been withdrawn said DRM.

Providing general law and order is also the responsibility of the state government and the role of RPF is to look after the property as per Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act – RPUP Act, said DRM.

I had always been appreciating the role of the farmer for peaceful protest without any loss to the railway property, said DRM adding that the farmers cannot dictate to the railways that the power will come at Moga and not Talwandi Saboo or the movement of good out of the plant at Dagroo will not be allowed.  The railways will either run the trains or will not, but one cannot accept the dictated terms.