Farmers in Punjab have intensified their protests by blocking the Delhi-Chandigarh National Highway, causing massive disruptions in the region.
The protests are centered in Mohali's Lalru area, affecting the highway connecting Chandigarh to Ambala. The agitation led to clashes between farmers and the police, further fueling the farmers' anger.
Rail blockade spreads across Punjab:
For the past few days, 19 farmer and laborer organizations in Punjab have been staging a 'Rail Roko' (blockade) protest. Farmers across Punjab have occupied railway tracks, paralyzing rail services completely. The blockade has impacted routes connecting Delhi to Amritsar, Pathankot to Amritsar, and Punjab to Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Moga, Firozpur, and more.
Passenger stranded, trains canceled:
As a result of the rail blockade, numerous passengers have found themselves stranded at various railway stations across Punjab. On Friday alone, approximately 60 trains were affected, with more than 90 trains expected to be disrupted. Over 80 trains have already been canceled.
Protests at multiple locations:
Nineteen organizations of farmers have set up blockades at 17 locations along railway tracks.
These protests are scheduled to continue until September 30, with demonstrations in Moga Railway Station, Ajitwal, Dagaru, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Dera Baba Nanak, Jalandhar Cantonment, Tarn Taran, Sunam in Sangrur, Nabha in Patiala, Basti Tankanwali in Firozpur, Ahmedgarh in Malerkotla, Devi Daspura and Majitha in Amritsar, Fazilka, and Ahmedgarh.
Demands of the farmers:
The farmers emphasize that their crops have suffered severe damage due to floods and heavy rains. Many have not received any compensation, and those who have received it claim it to be insufficient.
The farmer organizations are demanding a minimum compensation of Rs. 50,000 per acre for affected farmers and a Rs. 50,000 crore relief package from the central government for flood-related losses in Punjab.
Impact on train services:
As a result of the ongoing rail blockade, several train routes have been affected:
Trains to be short-terminated:
• Train 13006 Amritsar-Howrah will depart from Ludhiana.
• Train 19614 Amritsar to Ajmer will be short-terminated in Madhya Pradesh.
• Train 19611 Amritsar to Ajmer will depart from Nivari.
• Train 13005 Howrah-Amritsar will be short-terminated in Ludhiana.
• Train 19223 Ahmedabad-Jammu Tawi will depart from Bathinda.
Trains to be cancelled:
• Train 14730 - Fazilka to Rewari
• Train 14601 - Firozpur to Hanumangarh
• Train 14028 - Firozpur to Jhunjhunu
• Train 22486 - Moga to New Delhi
• Train 14634 - Pathankot to Amritsar
• Train 14602 - Hanumangarh to Amritsar
• Train 14027 - Jhunjhunu to Firozpur
• Train 14614 - Firozpur to SAS Nagar Mohali
• Train 22458 - New Delhi to Moga
• Train 14633 - Amritsar to Pathankot
• Train 04555 - Ludhiana to Lohian Khas
• Train 06996 - Fazilka to Bathinda
• Train 06991 - Kotkapura to Fazilka
• Train 04643 - Firozpur to Fazilka
• Train 04492 - Fazilka to Firozpur
• Train 04658 - Firozpur to Bathinda
• Train 04603 - Bathinda to Firozpur
• Train 04631 - Bathinda to Fazilka
• Train 06992 - Fazilka to Kotkapura
• Train 06993 - Kotkapura to Fazilka
• Train 04552 - Fazilka to Abohar
• Train 06987 - Firozpur to Fazilka
• Train 04628 - Fazilka to Firozpur
• Train 04627 - Firozpur to Fazilka
• Train 06988 - Fazilka to Firozpur
• Train 01612 - Firozpur to Bathinda
• Train 04636 - Firozpur to Ludhiana
• Train 06981 - Ludhiana to Firozpur
• Train 06982 - Firozpur to Ludhiana
• Train 04464 - Firozpur to Ludhiana
• Train 04997 - Ludhiana to Firozpur
• Train 04998 - Firozpur to Ludhiana
• Train 04625 - Ludhiana to Firozpur
• Train 06963 - Jalandhar to Firozpur
• Train 04633 - Jalandhar to Firozpur
• Train 06965 - Jalandhar to Firozpur
• Train 04169 - Jalandhar to Firozpur
• Train 06964 - Firozpur to Jalandhar
• Train 04634 - Firozpur to Jalandhar
• Train 04170 - Firozpur to Jalandhar
• Train 06966 - Firozpur to Jalandhar
• Train 09771 - Jalandhar to Amritsar
• Train 04690 - Jalandhar to Ambala
• Train 04591 - Ludhiana to Cheharta
• Train 04592 - Cheharta to Ludhiana
• Train 06947 - Amritsar to Kadiyan
• Train 06948 - Kadiyan to Amritsar
• Train 06934 - Pathankot to Amritsar
• Train 04660 - Pathankot to Amritsar
• Train 06921 - Amritsar to Dera Baba Nanak
• Train 04397 - Amritsar to Pathankot
• Train 04611 - Amritsar to Pathankot
• Train 04398 - Pathankot to Amritsar
• Train 06936 - Pathankot to Amritsar
• Train 06933 - Amritsar to Pathankot
• Train 06935 - Verka to Pathankot
• Train 06947 - Amritsar to Kadiyan
• Train 06948 - Kadiyan to Amritsar
• Train 06922 - Dera Baba Nanak to Verka
• Train 06923 - Verka to Dera Baba Nanak
• Train 06924 - Dera Baba Nanak to Verka
• Train 06940 - Amritsar to Khemkaran
• Train 06939 - Khemkaran to Amritsar
• Train 06942 - Amritsar to Khemkaran
• Train 06941 - Khemkaran to Bhagtanwala
• Train 06978 - Jalandhar to New Shahar
• Train 04399 - New Shahar to Jalandhar
• Train 06959 - Hoshiarpur to Jalandhar
• Train 04467 - Hoshiarpur to Jalandhar
• Train 04597 - Hoshiarpur to Jalandhar
• Train 04668 - Jalandhar to Hoshiarpur
• Train 04598 - Jalandhar to Hoshiarpur
• Train 06970 - Jalandhar to Nakodar
• Train 06972 - Jalandhar to Nakodar
• Train 06969 - Nakodar to Jalandhar
• Train 06971 - Nakodar to Jalandhar
• Train 04629 - Ludhiana to Lohian Khas
• Train 06983 - Ludhiana to Lohian Khas
• Train 06985 - Fagwara to Lohian Khas
• Train 04556 - Lohian Khas to Ludhiana
• Train 04630 - Lohian Khas to Ludhiana
• Train 04509 - Jhajhar to Ludhiana
• Train 04743 - Hisar to Ludhiana
• Train 04576 - Ludhiana to Hisar
These trains have been affected by the ongoing protests, leading to cancellations and changes in their routes.
Conclusion:
The ongoing farmer protests in Punjab have resulted in significant disruptions to rail and road transportation, affecting both passengers and cargo movement. The farmers are steadfast in their demands for adequate compensation and relief for flood-affected crops. The situation remains tense as both the state and central governments grapple with finding a resolution to the crisis.