In what came as a relief for the common people, farmers on Friday vacated the railway tracks they blocked in protest against the Punjab State Government. Hundreds of farmers have been protesting against the Punjab government demanding a hike in Sugarcane prices. In protest, the farmers have been blocking the New Delhi-Jammu National Highway in Jalandhar since Tuesday. On Thursday, the farmers also blocked the railway track and a demonstration occurred near Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station. Following that more than 80 train services were disrupted.
As a result, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann called the farmers' union leaders for a meeting on Friday. Hence, the protesting farmers vacated the railway tracks. A farmer leader said, "The decision to vacate the railway tracks took place yesterday night. CM Saab (Bhagwant Mann) has called us for a meeting on Friday. We told them that if the meeting takes place then we will vacate the railway tracks. We blocked the National Highway and the railway tracks as well. As a result, the people of Punjab were facing problems. We also understand their pain. The meeting is called at 12 pm, we believe a solution will come out by 4 pm today. If no solution comes out, then railway tracks will be blocked again."
Punjab Railway service disrupted
As soon as the railway track was closed, Shatabdi Express was stopped at Phagwara in Kapurthala. The demonstration is taking place near Jalandhar Cantt station. Therefore Amrapali Express will be stopped at Jalandhar City station. As per reports, the movement of 120 trains every 24 hours will be affected on this track.
40 trains had left on Thursday, and now 80 trains are being diverted. Diversion of trains has been done from Jalandhar City station. During this period, trains going to other states via Ludhiana, Ambala, Panipat, and Delhi will depart from Nakodar via Phagwara.