Jat stir hits rail, road traffic
Rail and road links to nearby cities including Jaipur were badly hit by the Jat agitation in Rajasthan. The train link from Mathura to Alwar, Kota, Bharatpur and the bus service on Jaipur route remained affected throughout Friday.
Sachin Tyagi, PRO for divisional railway manager (DRM) Agra, said Agra – Alwar, Agra – Kota and Agra – Bharatpur train track was affected since the beginning of the agitation that began at 5 pm in border areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The Jats are demanding OBC reservation benefits.
“No harm to property of railways has been reported till now but the protestors seeking reservation for Jat community have blocked the track in border area within Rajasthan, which has affected train movement on Delhi-Mathura-Mumbai route,” stated Tyagi.
‘We have been trying to divert the trains through Bayana or Sawai Madhopur but so far at least seven passenger trains and 10 mail or express trains were affected. Few were stopped at Mathura while others were diverted,” informed the PRO.
Sources revealed that rail traffic via Bandi Kui between Agra and Jaipur was disrupted but it moved through Bayana. The agitation also took Mathura– Bharatpur track under its grip.
The situation was no better for roadways buses reaching the border area of UP and Rajasthan. More than 50 buses plying from Agra Mathura region for cities in Rajasthan including Jaipur were affected due to the agitation.
Passengers at Agra Fort and Mathura railway station were left stranded.
Many sought refund of ticket money by getting their ticket cancelled.
According to railways, trains including Intercity Express (12416), Mewar Express (12963), Jaipur-Lucknow Express (19715) were cancelled in the last 24 hours.