Prioritize passenger trains or face freight disruptions : Jamshedpur MLA Saryu Roy

MLA vows to raise train delay issue with railway minister

21-member panel soon for public issues

Train delays spark protest, Saryu Roy threatens stronger agitation

Jamshedpur: Protesting against persistent delays in passenger train services, Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy on Tuesday warned that if the Railways fail to ensure timely operations, the public would be compelled to block freight trains. Addressing a sit-in demonstration in the city, he announced that a 21-member committee would soon be formed to lead the agitation and may even travel to Delhi to meet the Railway Minister and senior Railway Board officials.

Roy stated that although he initially called for the protest alone, the movement quickly gained momentum with support from several organisations, including trade bodies and social groups. “This is not a political issue but a public concern. We will fight this collectively,” he said, adding that representatives from various sections of society would be included in the proposed committee.

Highlighting the hardships faced by passengers, Roy pointed out that trains arriving at and departing from Tatanagar have been running four to five hours late on a daily basis for the past several years. “We had hoped the issue would be resolved quickly, but instead, it has worsened over time,” he remarked.

He criticised the Railways for prioritising freight trains over passenger services, citing recent incidents where passenger trains were halted for hours while multiple freight trains were allowed to pass. “If freight trains are delayed slightly, it does not significantly impact businesses, but delayed passenger trains cause immense suffering to the public,” he argued.

Roy also questioned the long timelines of ongoing railway projects, stating that waiting three to five years for improvements is not feasible for daily commuters. He alleged that the Chakradharpur Railway Division has been neglected compared to other divisions, with key development projects either delayed or overlooked.

Raising concerns over transparency, Roy said that railway authorities failed to provide a clear list of newly introduced passenger trains in the past five years. “Old trains that were suspended during the COVID-19 period are now being presented as new services,” he claimed.

The MLA further emphasised the broader impact of delays, noting that passengers are often stranded in remote areas without basic amenities, while daily wage labourers suffer loss of income due to late arrivals. “Entire families, including children, are forced to endure unnecessary hardship. This situation cannot continue,” he said.

The protest is expected to intensify in the coming days if the Railways do not respond with concrete measures to improve punctuality and prioritise passenger convenience.

Congress protests train delays, burns effigies

Jamshedpur: A strong protest was staged at Tatanagar Railway Station against the persistent delays in train services. The demonstration was organized under the joint leadership of Chinna Rao, District President of the East Singhbhum District Congress Cooperative Department, and Ranjan Singh, District President of Youth INTUC.

During the protest at Tatanagar Station, Congress workers burned effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The area echoed with slogans criticizing the central government, as demonstrators expressed their anger over the ongoing inconvenience being caused to passengers.

Prominent leaders present at the protest included Shailendra Singh Chandel, Vijay Yadav, Rakesh Sahu, Anil Singh, Raja Ojha, Ranjit Jha and Shamsher Alam.

Addressing the gathering, Chinna Rao, Ranjan Singh and Rakesh Sahu jointly stated that most trains passing through Tatanagar were running consistently late, severely affecting daily commuters and long-distance travelers alike. They urged the railway administration to take immediate steps to ensure punctual train operations and provide relief to passengers.

Protest site shift sparks uproar at Tatanagar

Jamshedpur: Jamshedpur witnessed high drama at the proposed protest against train delays after the railway authorities allegedly altered the designated dharna spot overnight, reportedly under instructions from senior officials. The decision was taken without informing protest convenor Ajay Kumar, triggering resentment among participants.
Preparations had already been made at the original site the previous night, with carpets laid and banners installed.

However, by morning, the arrangements were dismantled—carpets removed and banners torn down. As protestors began arriving around 9 a.m., they found the area heavily barricaded with ropes and guarded by a strong police presence, preventing entry into the earmarked zone.
The sudden shift provoked anger among workers of the Janata Dal (United), with several leaders raising slogans against the railway administration.

Railway Protection Force personnel remained largely passive, standing within the cordoned area as tensions escalated. At one point, an RPF officer attempted to direct protestors to shift near a stationed railway engine, leading to further confrontation and slogan-shouting against him.
Amid the standoff, MLA Saryu Roy reached the spot and was briefed on the situation. Spotting a shaded area nearly 100 metres before the engine, he declared it as the new protest site. Fresh arrangements were quickly made, and the demonstration commenced there.
Despite the scorching sun, Roy remained steadfast at the protest venue, joined by hundreds of men and women who refused to disperse.
Protestors raised slogans such as “Ashwini Vaishnaw hosh mein aao” and “Rail prashasan murdabad,” expressing their discontent over persistent train delays and administrative handling.
As the heat intensified, attendees adjusted their positions to shaded patches while continuing to listen to speeches. The protest concluded only after Roy’s address, following which participants dispersed peacefully at his request.

RPF officer backs protest over chronic train delays

Jamshedpur:  An officer of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over persistent train delays, stating that he too faces the same ordeal as ordinary passengers.
Posted at the Chakradharpur headquarters, the sub-inspector said he is required to travel there every two to three days, yet struggles with unreliable schedules.
He noted that travelling on the Vande Bharat Express is feasible only while in uniform, leaving him with limited dependable options. “Apart from Vande Bharat, there is hardly any train that ensures timely arrival at Chakradharpur,” he remarked.
Praising MLA Saryu Roy, the officer described him as an educated leader who has raised a genuine issue affecting the common public. “This is not a political matter but a public concern that deserves a timely resolution,” he added.
The officer remained on duty at the protest site throughout, maintaining a vigilant presence until its conclusion.