LUCKNOW: Over 2,500 passengers of two express trains were left stranded at Burhwal junction of Barabanki district in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, after the staff of one of the trains cited duty hours over, while other train’s crazy pilot claimed uneasiness before switching off their duties.
With no water, food, or power supply inside the train, the agonized and infuriated passengers staged a protest and came onto the rail track blocking the movement of an express train.
The incident happened with Saharsa – New Delhi Special Fare Chhath Puja Special (04021) and Barauni-Lucknow Junction express (15203). Hours later, north eastern railway (NER) dispatched staff from Gonda junction to attend the two express trains to calm down the situation.
According to railway, 04021, which was supposed to depart on November 27 at 7:15 pm, left its originating station Saharsa on November 28 at 9:30 am. The train reached Gorakhpur over 19 hours late. The express had no halt at Burhwal junction, but at around 1:15 pm, the train made an unscheduled halt.
“Our journey was supposed to end in maximum 25 hours 20 minutes, but it’s third day in this so called ‘special train’. This is a special torture created by Indian railways for poor passengers like us. There is no water, no pantry car to buy food and no power supply. Both the loco-pilots and train guard have alighted from the train citing drowsiness,” said a passenger who was traveling from Saharsa along with his relatives to New Delhi.
Visual shared by sources from Burhwal junction, revealed that scores passengers attempted to block the rail track and demanded immediate resolution for delayed 04021 express. The RPF men attempted to console the passengers.
The second train, Barauni – Lucknow Junction Express (15203) which was already running late by more than five hours and 30 minutes and reached Burhwal junction at 4:04 pm also witnessed the train staff leaving the locomotive engine.
“One of the train loco-pilot expressed uneasiness and left the train. Since passengers’ safety is paramount, fresh staff was called from Gonda junction and the train left at for Lucknow junction at 5:42 pm. The train reached Lucknow at 7:24 pm,” said railway official.
The official said that staff was also called for 04021 from Gonda Junction and the train left for New Delhi at around 4:30 pm.
With no water, food, or power supply inside the train, the agonized and infuriated passengers staged a protest and came onto the rail track blocking the movement of an express train.
The incident happened with Saharsa – New Delhi Special Fare Chhath Puja Special (04021) and Barauni-Lucknow Junction express (15203). Hours later, north eastern railway (NER) dispatched staff from Gonda junction to attend the two express trains to calm down the situation.
According to railway, 04021, which was supposed to depart on November 27 at 7:15 pm, left its originating station Saharsa on November 28 at 9:30 am. The train reached Gorakhpur over 19 hours late. The express had no halt at Burhwal junction, but at around 1:15 pm, the train made an unscheduled halt.
“Our journey was supposed to end in maximum 25 hours 20 minutes, but it’s third day in this so called ‘special train’. This is a special torture created by Indian railways for poor passengers like us. There is no water, no pantry car to buy food and no power supply. Both the loco-pilots and train guard have alighted from the train citing drowsiness,” said a passenger who was traveling from Saharsa along with his relatives to New Delhi.
Visual shared by sources from Burhwal junction, revealed that scores passengers attempted to block the rail track and demanded immediate resolution for delayed 04021 express. The RPF men attempted to console the passengers.
The second train, Barauni – Lucknow Junction Express (15203) which was already running late by more than five hours and 30 minutes and reached Burhwal junction at 4:04 pm also witnessed the train staff leaving the locomotive engine.
“One of the train loco-pilot expressed uneasiness and left the train. Since passengers’ safety is paramount, fresh staff was called from Gonda junction and the train left at for Lucknow junction at 5:42 pm. The train reached Lucknow at 7:24 pm,” said railway official.
The official said that staff was also called for 04021 from Gonda Junction and the train left for New Delhi at around 4:30 pm.
