The schedule of two Amritsar-bound trains from Tatanagar has been changed for over a month in view of a "traffic block" at the destination station to facilitate repairs.
According to a circular issued by South Eastern Railway, starting from Thursday, Tatanagar-Jammu Tawi Express (18101) will stop at either Jalandhar or Pathankot instead of going to Amritsar. The new schedule will be in place till January 27.
Similarly, Tatanagar-Amritsar Express (18103), instead of running till Amritsar, will be short-terminated at Jalandhar from December 26 till January 25.
A railway spokesperson said that such alterations had been necessitated due to a traffic-cum-power block at Amritsar station, which falls under Nothern Railway, for construction and repair of trains. "Information regarding short-termination and diversion of both the trains has been circulated across all stations through which they pass," the spokesperson added.
Passengers, who have booked a berth in the twin trains, are not complaining as of now. Amrik Singh, a resident of Burmamines who had come to Tatanagar on Thursday to purchase a ticket for the Amritsar express, said, "The distance between Amritsar and Jalandhar is around 80km. So, it won't be much of a problem if we get down at Jalandhar. Cab and bus services are available between the two destinations."
Other trains, which are originating or passing through Tatanagar to places like New Delhi, Mumbai and southern destinations, are going jam-packed because of the year-end holiday.
Officials at reservation counters at Tatanagar said that waiting lists for trains like Howrah-Mumbai Geetanjali Superfast Express, Tata-Yeshwantpur Superfast Express and Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Superfast Express had crossed 180 between December 28 and January 3.
The reservation quota in several of these trains has reached no-room status.
Confirmed seats are also not available in Puri-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Howrah-Ahmedabad Express and several other trains bound for north between December 28 and January 2.
A railway official said that additional coaches were needed for trains running between Howrah and Tatanagar. "Howrah-Tata Steel Superfast Express and Howrah-Titlagarh Ispat Express are also witnessing huge rush," said the official.
Chotanagpur Passengers' Association and Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry have also demanded additional coaches in the trains that are bursting at the seams. "Additional coaches must be introduced for the convenience of passengers," said a functionary of the passenger outfit.
