Smog, fog continue, 12 trains chug in late

Ludhiana: Deteriorating air quality in the Northern Railway route has continued to disrupt rail traffic, as on Thursday, more than 12 trains to and from New Delhi arrived late by several hours at the city railway station, which angered passengers waiting for them on different platforms.

Apart from delay in the arrival of premium trains, three major long-route trains heading towards Kolkata and Uttar Pradesh remained suspended in the wake of dense fog in UP and Bihar in the early morning hours.

Premium trains running towards the national capital from Amritsar also witnessed a delay, as Shatabdi arrived at 1.20pm, instead of 12noon; and Jan Shatabdi Express from Amritsar to Hardwar was delayed by five hours, arriving at 2pm, instead of 9am.

Station superintendent Ashok Salaria said “A major reason for the delay of premium as well as long-route trains was a dip in mercury levels in the northern states, as loco pilots have received instructions from the railway board not to run trains above 60kmph. Another reason for the delay is a dense blanket of fog on the route in the early morning and late evening hours.”

Tata Muri Express from Tata Nagar to Jammu Tawi arrived late by over five hours at 10.12am, instead of 5.05am; Malwa Express from Indore to Jammu Tawi, along with Shaheed Express also witnessed a delay of around three hours. The maximum delay was witnessed by Lohit Express from Guwahati to Jammu Tawi, which arrived more than seven hours late at 2.40pm, instead of 7.30am; Pooja Express from Ajmer to Jammu Tawi arrived late by over five hours at 8.40am, instead of 3.20am.

Other trains that arrived late by at least two to three hours included Darbhanga-Amritsar Jan Nayak Express, Amritsar-Howrah Mail, Kolkata-Jammu Tawi Express, Ferozepur-Delhi Sarai Rohilla Intercity Express, and Amritsar-Jaynagar Saryu Yamuna Express.

Meanwhile, passengers waited impatiently for their trains at the railway station on Thursday, as the chilly weather was making them restless. Many of them were annoyed over the delay in east-bound trains. Frequent passenger Subinder Jadav — heading towards Uttar Pradesh — said, “Every train coming from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were arriving late, as dense smog engulfed the Northern Railway route, which created difficulties for both railways and passengers. The railways must improve their waiting rooms and halls, which cannot accommodate many passengers, who face a tough time waiting for their trains in the cold and dry weather.”