Several trains cancelled, diverted on Patna-Kolkata route after protests on tracks in Bihar

Patna, May 23 (IANS) Train services were affected on the Patna-Kolkata route of the East Central Railway (ECR) zone due to an agitation at the Barhiya railway station in Bihar, officials said on Monday.

A large number of people have squatted on the tracks at the station, about 120 km from Patna. They are demanding stoppage for the Patliputra Express and a few other trains at the Barhiya railway station. They have blocked both up and down railway lines and are not allowing any train to pass through.

Due to the protest ECR has cancelled over one dozen trains and diverted more than two dozen trains bound to Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and other parts of north Bihar and Jharkhand.

Sources said that the agitators and officials of ECR sat on the table for talks, but they failed. An official of ECR claimed that the department is ready for the stoppage of Patliputra Express train, but the agitators are demanding for the stoppage of some more trains. The agitators have stopped Patliputra Express train for more than 20 hours at Barhiya railway station.

Virendra Kumar, PRO of ECR said: "Due to Dharna and protest at Barhiya railway station we have cancelled and diverted some trains. The negotiations with the protesters are currently underway."

Due to the protest, ECR has diverted Howrah - New Delhi Poorva Express and Howrah - New Delhi Duronto Express from Asansol, Dhanbad, Gaya and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction to go further toward New Delhi. These two trains from the down side New Delhi to Howrah will also use the same route.

Kamakhya (Guwahati) - New Delhi Express will be diverted from Kuel, Gaya and Deen Dayal Upadhyay junction to go to old Delhi railway station.

New Delhi - Malda Town Express and Lokmanya Tilak (Mumbai) - Bhagalpur Express will be diverted from Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Gaya and Kiul.

Patna - Jasidih Express train, Bhagalpur Anand Vihar (New Delhi) Express, Kolkata - Darbhanga Express, Gorakhpur - Sealdah (Kolkata) Express trains were being cancelled.

The passengers of Patna - Kolkata main railway route were struggling to reach their desired destinations due to the agitation for the last 24 hours.