Jamshedpur/Chakradharpur: Jugsalai resident Sarvan Kumar Debuka petitioned President Droupadi Murmu regarding the persistent passenger train delays in the Chakradharpur Railway Division. In his letter, Debuka criticized the railway administration for prioritizing freight trains over passenger services and demanded immediate measures to ensure timely train operations.
Freight Gains, Passengers Suffer
In his letter, Debuka alleged that passenger trains are intentionally halted in the Tatanagar and Chakradharpur divisions to clear the path for goods trains. This practice causes immense hardship to thousands of daily commuters attempting to reach their destinations.
Issues Raised in Advisory Meetings
The matter of train delays has previously been raised during Railway Advisory Committee meetings. Representatives of the Chota Nagpur Passenger Association highlighted the issue, but railway officials dismissed the delays as technical necessities due to ongoing track maintenance.
Social Media Outcry Ignored
Dozens of complaints surface daily on social media regarding delays on the Howrah-Mumbai route and trains passing through Tatanagar. Passengers accuse the railways of ignoring their plight in favor of revenue-heavy freight operations.
Impact on Daily Life
Irregular train schedules are severely affecting students, office-goers, and patients. Beyond disrupting daily routines, the persistent imbalance between freight and passenger services is significantly damaging the reliability and public image of the Indian Railways.
