Days after Minister Piyush Goyal announced the doubling of the number of Shramik Specials being operated from 200 to 400, reports are coming in of a large pileup of trains between Bhusawal and Itarsi junctions of Central and West Central Railway respectively.
Bhusawal and Itarsi are near the towns of Jalgaon (Maharashtra) and Hoshangabad (Madhya Pradesh) respectively.
The Shramik Special Trains, transporting workers back to their home states, are taking between 10-12 hours to cover the 297 kilometres between Bhusawal and Itarsi. This stretch normally requires between 5 hours.
Passengers, stranded without food or water, are taking to social media to raise complaints.
Minister of State for Railways, Suresh Angadi, told RailPost.in he is aware of the pileup on the section. He added that there were operational issues in the divisions ahead on the route.
“I have spoken to the Chairman, Railway Board, and am monitoring the issue. I will ensure the congestion is cleared soon”, said the minister.
Officials from North Central Railway say that too many Shramik Special trains entering the zone and clogging up the Jhansi-Kanpur section. All-out efforts are underway to clear trains, they official added.
There are also reports of crew shortages at crew changing points leading to further detention of these trains.
Some trains are being reversed to Bhusawal and rerouted via Nagpur, say, officials. Nagpur division has been advised to expect some 30 trains. Arrangements are being made to provide food and water to the passengers, RailPost.in has learnt.
We will update this story as more information comes in.
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