Rs 90 crore and counting... Cost of Gujjar stir to railways
May 26, 2015  12:35
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Frequent cancellation of trains on Delhi-Mumbai route due to ongoing agitation by Gujjars in Rajasthan is causing Western Railway a revenue loss to the tune of Rs 15 crore per day.


"The revenue collection per day has dipped by Rs 12-15 crore as around 15-20 trains, including freight trains, are getting cancelled," an official from commercial department of WR said today.


Gujjars have been blocking the rail track in Bharatpur district amid a stand-off with the government over their demand for five per cent reservation.


"It would have been a bit less hard hitting had only passenger services been affected. But unfortunately, freight services have also been cancelled which has added to our concerns," the official said on condition of anonymity.


Among trains cancelled so far were August Kranti Rajdhani Express, Golden Temple Mail, Mumbai Central-New Delhi Duronto Express, Mumbai Central-Firozpur Janta Express while dozens of trains are running behind schedule or are being operated through diverted routes.


Reviving their demand for five per cent reservation in jobs, Gujjars in Rajasthan launched an agitation on May 21, blocking railway tracks, even as the state government expressed readiness to have talks with them.
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