Train woes for north residents

A goods train moves through a restored track in Bihar

AVIJIT SINHA, TT, Siliguri, Sept. 10: Railway traffic has resumed from north Bengal and the Northeast to the rest of the country but most passenger trains remain cancelled even now, leaving travellers of the region disgruntled.

Since August 11, train movement from north Bengal and Northeast with the rest of the country had been disrupted after a 60m stretch - the only stumbling stone connecting the two regions with the country - between Sudhani and Telta stations in Bihar was washed away by a raging Mahananda.

The Northeast Frontier Railways had restored one of the tracks on August 29 and some passenger trains were introduced on September 2.

At present, 11 pairs of trains are running along the route ( Northeast and north bengal trains connecting the regions with the rest of the country) and the railways would introduce another eight pairs of trains from September 16.

On September 8, the NFR restored the second track also.

Passenger trains started plying along the track from today, officials of Northeast Frontier Railway said.

Jayanta Majumdar, who runs a transport business in Siliguri, said none of the trains which ply between Calcutta and north Bengal, excepting those running till Raiganj and Malda, have been introduced so far.

"As of now, only three-four trains, which originate from Northeast and go to Sealdah or Howrah are available. All trains from Northeast have not been introduced. Thus, there is abnormal rush in these trains and it is tough to get tickets," Majumdar said.

For the past one month, trains like Darjeeling Mail, Shatabdi Express, Teesta Torsha Express, Uttarbanga Express, Kanchankanya Express and Padatik Express, which run between north Bengal and Calcutta, have remain cancelled.

"Train movements between north Bengal and Calcutta should resume as soon as possible. We feel the railways should resume at least a couple of trains between north Bengal and Calcutta to ease the inconvenience faced by millions of people in this region," Pradip Lama, a Jalpaiguri resident, said.

As these trains continue to remain cancel, stakeholders of tourism industry are equally worried as they are on the verge of losing business during the upcoming Durga Puja season that will start in a fortnight's time, because of the ongoing strike and agitation in the hills.