Mumbai Rail Roko Agitation Called Off, Train Services Resume
Railway traffic affected from Matunga to CST in Mumbai.
Railway Traffic Affected From Matunga to CST
Scores of agitated students demanding jobs in railways, on Tuesday, 20 March, blocked rail traffic in Mumbai – including suburban services between Matunga and Dadar stations – inconveniencing lakhs of commuters, a Central Railway official said.
The students blocked the rail track at 7 am, forcing the Railways to stop the suburban as well as express train in the affected section between Matunga and CST.
"There has been no recruitment since the last four years. We are struggling from pillar to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," a student, who was part of the protest, told PTI.
Railway's Priority to Clear Traffic First
"Mumbai Police, along with the GRP and RPF jawans, are having talks with the students and the Railway's first priority is to clear the track," Chief PRO of Central Railway Sunil Udasi told PTI.
The protesters are demanding removal of 20 percent upper limit in hiring of candidates for railway jobs. They want the entire quota to be filled by students who have passed the Railway Act Apprentice Exam. Students, who have worked for many years but haven't been recruited, are leading these protests, Mumbai Mirror reported.
The news agency quoted an agitating student as saying, “We will not budge from here until Railway Minister Piyush Goyal comes to meet us. Our several prayers made to DRM (Divisional Railway Manager) of the Mumbai division have failed.”
BEST to Ply More Buses
BEST decided to ply more buses from outside Matunga and other stations on the Central Railway suburban line to cater to those stranded due to the rail roko agitation, The Times of India reported.
Western Railway Lines Not Affected
The Western Railway Lines including the Mumbai suburban services are not affected by the ongoing rail roko agitation.
30 Trains Cancelled
The rail roko protests in Mumbai led to cancellation of around 30 trains, India Today reported.
Agitation Called Off
The rail roko agitation by students has been called off. Train services have resumed on Central Line.
The Railway authorities have agreed to meet the agitators in two days and the latter will protest again if their demands are not met.
Agitators Were Lathi-Charged Only After They Pelted Stones: CM
After the rail roko protests were called off, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the police lathi-charged only after the protesters started pelting stones, ANI reported.
The agitating students called off the rail roko protests in Mumbai on Tuesday, 20 March, after Railway officials brokered peace. However, the students, who are demanding permanent jobs in Railways, said if their demands are not met they will protest again. The agitation affected Mumbai suburban trains between Matunga and CSMT during morning peak hours.
- Students called off their protests after Railway authorities brokered peace.
- The rail roko agitation began at around 7 am between Matunga and Dadar stations.
- Suburban and express trains between Matunga and CSMT were halted.
- The protestors were demanding removal of 20 percent upper limit in hiring candidates for Railway jobs.
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