Train services paralyzed across Jharkhand
Jamshedpur, Sep 20: Thousands of members of the Kudmi (Kurmi) community staged massive protests across Jharkhand on Saturday, demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The agitation was carried out simultaneously at more than 15 locations, leading to large-scale disruption of train services on the Howrah-New Delhi main line.
The protesters squatted on railway tracks at Rai, Muri, Tatisilwai, and Mesra stations in Ranchi, while demonstrations were also reported in Giridih, Chakradharpur, Jamtara, Dhanbad, and Bokaro. Protesters, dressed in traditional attire and carrying drums, began assembling at stations as early as 4 a.m., braving police barricades.
Train Services Affected
South Eastern Railway (SER) confirmed that its operations were partially hit due to the agitation. Protesters blocked tracks in multiple sections, including Sini–Gamharia (Chakradharpur division), Rakhamines–Galudih (Kharagpur division), and Latemda–Jhimri and Namkum–Tatisilwai (Ranchi division).
The agitation also spread to Dhanbad division of East Central Railway, where trains had to be controlled within SER limits. Clashes broke out at Pradhankhunta railway station in Dhanbad when security forces attempted to clear the tracks.
Scale of the Protest
Kudmi outfits had earlier declared their plan to disrupt services at 100 stations across Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, including 40 in Jharkhand alone. Organisers described Saturday’s agitation as a “historic demonstration,” adding that support was mobilised through village-to-village campaigns.
In Ranchi, Bokaro, and Giridih districts, train services came to a near standstill. At Parasnath, Chandrapura, and Rai stations, passengers were stranded for hours as trains were either cancelled, rescheduled, or diverted.
Trains Cancelled, Diverted and Controlled
The Dhanbad division cancelled several trains, including the Hatia-Bardhaman MEMU and Hatia-Kharagpur Express. The Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express was rescheduled by nearly seven hours, while the Ranchi-Chhapra Express was diverted via the Ranchi-Tori route.
Short-termination and short-origination of trains were also carried out at Purulia, Adra, Kotshila, and Barabhum due to blockades. Several express trains, including the Vande Bharat services from Ranchi and Tatanagar, were controlled mid-route.
Political Support
The movement received political backing from several leaders. MLA Jairam Mahato of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha extended support, stating in a video message that the agitation was not just for ST status but also for the recognition of the Kurmali language and protection of land rights.
In Ramgarh district, AJSU MP from Giridih, Chandra Prakash Choudhary, joined the protest at Hesalong station, blocking tracks along with supporters.
Security Measures and Warnings
Authorities tightened security with heavy deployment of Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and state police. CCTV surveillance and drones were pressed into service to monitor protest sites.
Officials warned of strict action against those damaging railway property. They also announced that any financial losses to Indian Railways caused by the agitation would be recovered from offenders.
List of Train Disruptions (20.09.2025)
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Cancellation of Trains on 20.09.2025
1) 13504 Hatia-Barddhaman MEMU
2) 68019 Tatanagar-Gua MEMU
3) 68020 Gua-Tatanagar MEMU
4) 68004 Gua-Tatanagar MEMU
5) 68003 Tatanagar-Gua MEMU
6) 18036 Hatia-Kharagpur Express
7) 13514 Hatia-Asansol Express
8) 12366 Ranchi-Patna Express
9) 22350 Ranchi-Patna Vande Bharat Express
10) 68079 Bhojudih-Chandrapura MEMU
11) 68080 Chandrapura- Bhojudih MEMU
12) 68123 Kharagpur-Tatanagar MEMU
13) 68124 Tatanagar-Kharagpur MEMU
14) 13320 Ranchi-Dumka Express
15) 13304 Ranchi-Dhanbad Express
16) 58151 Biramitrapur-Barsuan MEMU
17) 58152 Barsuan-Biramitrapur MEMU
18) 20888 Bhubaneswar-Ranchi Express
19) 12022 Barbil-Howrah Janshatabdi Express
20) 18603 Ranchi-Goda MEMU
21) 18604 Goda- Ranchi MEMU
22) 20897 Howrah-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express
23) 68006 Tatanagar-Kharagpur MEMU
24) 68009 Tatanagar-Chakradharpur MEMU
25) 18105 Rourkela-Jaynagar Express
26) 18012 Chakradharpur-Howrah Express
27) 18113 Tatanagar-Bilaspur Express
28) 68128 Tatanagar-Chakulia Express
29) 20872 Rourkela –Howrah Express
30) 68014 Tatanagar-Kharagpur MEMU
Diversion of Trains
1) 22891 Howrah-Ranchi Express Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will run on diverted route via Kharagpur-Midnapore-Adra-Purulia
2) 18013 Adra-Bokaro Steel City Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will run on diverted route via Bhojudih-Talgaria-Chas-Bandhdih
3) 15630 Silghat-Tambaram Express journey commenced on 19.09.2025 will run on diverted route via Jaychandi Pahar-Adra-Midnapore-Hijli
4) 18613 Ranchi-Chopan Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will run on diverted route via Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori
5) 18310 Jammu Tawi-Sambalpur Express journey commenced on 18.09.2025 will run on diverted route via Tori-Lohardaga-Ranchi
6) 12859 CSMT Mumbai-Howrah Express journey commenced on 19.09.2025 will run on diverted route via Sini-Kandra-Adra-Midnapore-Kharagpur
7) 18029 LTT Mumbai – Shalimar Express journey commenced on 19.09.2025 will run on diverted route via Sini-Kandra-Adra-Midnapore-Kharagpur
8) 18190 Ernakulam-Tatanagar Express journey commenced on 18.09.2025 will run on diverted route via Sini-Kandra-Gamaharia
9) 18427 Puri-Anand Vihar Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will run on diverted route via Chandil-Purulia-Anara -Asansol
Short Termination/Short Origination of Trains
1) 18085 Kharagpur-Ranchi Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Purulia
2) 18035 Kharagpur-Hatia Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Adra
3) 63598 Asansol-Ranchi Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Kotshila
4) 63597 Ranchi-Asansol Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short originated from Purulia
5) 68024 Purulia-Jhargram Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Barabhum
6) 20893 Tatanagar-Patna Vande Bharat Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Muri
7) 18626 Hatia-Purnia Court Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Silli
8) 20871 Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Chakulia
9) 12871 Howrah-Titlagarh Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Jhargram
10) 12021 Howrah-Barbil Janshatabdi Express journey commenced on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Kharagpur
11) 20887 Ranchi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Bokaro Seel City
12) 13352 Alappuza-Dhanbad Express journey commenced on 18.09.2025 will be short terminated at Ranchi
13) 68086 Barkakana-Tatanagar MEMU journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Suisa
14) 02831 Dhanbad –Bhubaneswar Special journey commenced on 19.09.2025 will be short terminated at Hatia
15) 22862 Kantabanji-Howrah Express journey commenced on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Rourkela
16) 13288 Ara-Durg Express journey commenced on 19.09.2025 will be short terminated at Tatanagar
17) 08612 Azmer-Santragachi Special journey commenced on 18.09.2025 will be short terminated at Silli
18) 63598 Asansol – Ranchi MEMU journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Kotshila
19) 22892 Ranchi-Howrah Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Tatanagar
20) 18601 Tatanagar – Hatia Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Birarajpur
21) 20898 Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 will be short terminated at Tatanagar
Controlling of Trains
1) 12833 Ahmedabad-Howrah Express journey commenced on 19.09.2025 at Rourkela
2) 01149 Bhiwandi Road- Sankrail Goods Yard Special journey commenced on 19.09.2025 at Lota Pahar
3) 18114 Bilaspur-Tatanagar Express journey commenced on 19.09.2025 at Barabambo
4) 08612 Azmer-Santragachi Special journey commenced on 19.09.2025 at Silli
5) 68035 Tatanagar-Hatia MEMU journey commencing on 20.09.2025 at Illoo
6) 12222 Howrah-Pune Duranto Express journey commencing on 20.09.2025 at Ghatshila
7) 12801 Anand Vihar-Puri Express journey commenced on 19.09.2025 at Purulia
8) 02832 Bhubaneswar-Dhanbad Special journey commenced on 19.09.2025 at Govindpur Road
9) 12876 Anand Vihar-Puri Express journey commenced on 19.09.2025 at Asanboni
Widespread Disruption Ahead of Festivals
With the festive season approaching, the agitation has created hardship for thousands of passengers across Jharkhand. Railway authorities are making efforts to restore normalcy, but warned that services may continue to be affected if blockades persist.
