Eastern Railway faces unusual disruption: 5,000 people halt train services — what happened? | VIDEO

Train movement on the Azimganj–New Farakka section of Eastern Railway was disrupted on April 11 after around 5,000 people began squatting on the railway track near Dhulian Ganga station at 2.46 pm. The protest took place on a non-railway cause, according to Eastern Railway.

The 15644 DN Kamakhya–Puri Express was obstructed near Dhulian Ganga. The 53434 DN Barharwa–Azimganj Passenger was also detained at Ballalpur due to non-availability of path. Two trains were cancelled, two were short-terminated, and around five were diverted.

The squatters blocked the track between Dhulian Ganga and Nimtita stations. Gate no. 43 was damaged during the incident, though the railway track remains intact.

What did authorities do?
Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and local police reached the site to negotiate with the agitators.

Eastern Railway stated, “Train services have been affected in the Azimganj-New Farakka section as a group of people were squatting on the railway track between Dhulian Ganga and Nimtita stations... They also damaged the gate no 43. The railway track is intact so far... Two trains were cancelled, and two were short-terminated. Around five trains are diverted... Eastern Railway is concerned about obstructing the railway tracks...”

It added, “Eastern Railway requesting everybody not to obstruct railway movement as it not only affects punctuality of train running but also brings harassment for lots of passengers.”