November 4, 2020 11:26:40 am
Members of various farmers’ organizations blocked the train tracks in Ambala during their protest against the central government’s agricultural bills (Express photo by Harmeet Sodhi)
In the middle of continuous suspension of goods trains to Punjab, the ruling congressional party in the state and the opposition BJP have had a verbal dispute on the issue, even as Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh pointed out that no movement of freight trains can have a dangerous consequence for national security, even depriving the armed forces in Ladakh and Kashmir of critical supplies before winter. The CM has also been citing how thermal plants are running out of coal reserves and farmers are being deprived of fertilizers ahead of the rabi planting season. Meanwhile, protesting farmers claim they have cleared most of the roads. We explain the controversy.
When did the railways stop transporting freight trains to Punjab and why?
The Railways have not operated any freight trains to Punjab since October 24. The railway divisions in Ferozepur and Ambala, which operate trains in Punjab, have not received any instructions on resuming service.
Farmers agitating against the three core farm laws had previously organized protests over the roko railway at more than 33 locations in Punjab. On October 21, they announced that they would clear all tracks for freight trains. The railways operated 173 freight trains on October 22 and 23 in Punjab. However, according to Rajesh Aggarwal, Divisional Railways Manager (DRM), Ferozepur Division, farmers had stopped an empty passenger train rake, which was being operated for maintenance purposes at Romana Albela. He claimed that some freight trains stopped at various locations on October 22. Subsequently, the Railways issued instructions to stop the movement of freight trains to Punjab as of October 24. The DRM had said that the railways cannot operate trains under conditions of uncertainty and want farmers to clear all the tracks so that operations run smoothly. On October 30, Sukhwinder Singh, Additional DRM, Ferozepur Division said: “We have no orders to operate the trains. The status quo is maintained. “
How many trains run on the railroad tracks in Punjab?
On average, 28 freight trains and 300 passenger trains ran daily on the tracks that passed through Punjab. During the closure, although there was no reduction in the number of freight trains, that of passenger trains was reduced to 14 pairs. Few more passenger trains would be added starting in October, but the decision now remains on hold. According to the Ferozepur division, 499 freight trains ran on the tracks in April in Punjab and made 234 million rupees in revenue, while 427 of those trains generated another 208 million rupees in May. In June and July, 408 and 556 freight trains ran in Punjab generating revenues of Rs 177 million and Rs 259 million respectively. The railways earned Rs 326 crore by operating 693 freight trains in August, and Rs 330 crore by operating 676 trains in September. The rail roko protest had started on various tracks in Punjab from September 24 onwards.
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During a protest in the town of Dhablan in Patiala (Photo by PTI)
How is the industry affected by the suspension of freight trains?
Different industrial organizations, in a written representation to the Punjab government, have stated that the industry has suffered losses of more than 1500 million rupees since October 1, as the import and export of goods have been affected. Upkar Singh, president of the Chamber of Industrial and Trade Organization (CICU), said: “The Center did not stop the movement of freight trains even during the days of terrorism in Punjab. This has happened for the first time. They must solve problems with the farmers and the state government and must not let the industry suffer. When the farmers have cleared most of the tracks, they must use freight trains. “
How are farmers affected by the suspension of the movement of trains?
The suspension of freight trains has led to a severe shortage of fertilizers, and state authorities say the planting of Rabi crops is likely to suffer. Farmers need urea and DAP (diammonium phosphate) to grow wheat and other vegetable crops like potatoes. “Punjab needs 14 lakh tonnes of urea, 5.25 lakh of DAP, 0.5 lakh of muriate of potassium (MOP) and 0.5 lakh of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK Complex) for the Rabi 2020-21 season. At present, we only have 2.05 lakh tonnes of urea, 1.95 lakh tonnes of DAP, 0.35 lakh tonnes of MOP and 0.08 lakh tonnes of NPK Complex, ”said Rajesh Vashisht, Punjab’s director of agriculture.
Authorities said 4 lakh tonnes of urea was supposed to arrive in October, but only 1 lakh tonne was received. For November, the state has an allocation of 4 billion tons of urea. Punjab sources urea supplies via trains from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and other states. Wheat is expected to be grown on approximately 35 lakh hectares in the state during the rabi season. Of this wheat has already been sown in 30 percent of the surface.
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At a protest in Ambala. (PTI photo)
Why did farmers start a protest on the roko railway in Punjab?
The roko railroad protest was planned by 30 Punjab farmers’ unions as part of protests against central agricultural laws. The Kisan Mazdoor Sangrash Committee (KMSC) and Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) had initiated the railway blockade on September 24 at 11 locations: Ferozepur, Amritsar, Sangrur, Mansa, Patiala, Barnala, Fazilka, Muktsar, Moga, Faridkot and Patiala, because all passenger trains were canceled while freight trains continued to run during the night hours from selected locations. From September 27 to 30, this lockdown was reduced to just two locations: at Basti Tenka Wali in Ferozepur and Devidaspura in Amritsar by KMSC. However, as of October 1, the 30 farmers’ unions initiated an indefinite rail blockade at 33 locations, after which all rail services were suspended. As part of the protest, farmers sat on the train tracks and on the platforms.
When did farmers get dharna off the railroad tracks for freight trains?
It was done in phases. BKU (Ugrahan) raised dharnas from Dablan in Patiala, Budhlada in Mansa and Chhajali in Sangrur from October 13 onwards. However, the dharnas continued at the other 30 locations. As of October 21, the unions lifted dharnas from the remaining 30 places. However, the dharnas were raised only for the movement of freight trains, as farmers said they will not allow the movement of passenger trains. Therefore, farmers continued to sit on the platforms at more than 20 stations in small meetings, said Jagmohan Singh, a member of the working committee of the All India Kisan Sangrash Coordination Committee (AIKSCC). Furthermore, the farmers, under the KMSC banner, after raising dharnas from all the train tracks, started a new dharna on the local Jandiala Guru railway line in Amritsar starting on October 22. In addition to this, they also sat on the internal coal supply lines of private power plants at Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura power plants to not allow any supply of coal to private power plants.
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At a protest in Patiala (Express Photo / Harmeet Sodhi)
For how many days did the railways run with freight trains despite the roko of the railroad?
In September, freight train traffic was not greatly affected as dharnas were held in a few selected locations, mainly during the day. However, no passenger train has moved in Punjab since September 24. In October, the movement of more than 173 freight trains took place in Punjab for two days after farmers lifted the blockade of almost all but three new locations.
What is the current scenario?
Farmers unions across the country will hold a chakka jam protest on national and state highways on November 5 for four hours to present their protest against farm laws and also to protest against the suspension of freight trains by the Center in Punjab, said VM Singh, national convener, AIKSCC.
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