Passengers block train at Diamond Harbor station; protest over regular delays

Passengers at Diamond Harbor station staged a protest on Wednesday morning, decrying the consistent delays of the up-Sealdah local train. The demonstration, which saw hundreds of people descending onto the railway tracks, caused significant disruption to the daily commute and affected numerous travelers.

The protest was fueled by frustration over the train's habitual lateness, which passengers claim disrupts their daily routines and business operations. Despite repeatedly informing the station manager and railway authorities about the delays, no substantial improvements have been made.

GRP and railway police arrived at the scene to manage the situation. The protesters' primary demand was for the train to depart on time to ensure punctual arrival in Kolkata, which is essential for many passengers, including workers and traders.

Chief Public Relations Officer Kaushik Mitra addressed the issue, stating, “It's not like trains are getting late for the railways. We have asked the passengers to pick up the protest. Trains of various branches are being stopped due to this blockade. Multiple rail gates in that section are not allowed to close on time. Cars are always coming in and out. As a result, the train stopped on the line. One train being late means many trains behind it.”

One commuter expressed his frustration, saying, “We can't reach work on time. The train blockade has been going on for three months. Every morning, the train gets late. Sometimes the train enters Sealdah late by an hour, sometimes by an hour and a half. Yesterday also the car of 6:52 entered Sealdah at 9:20. Which was supposed to arrive at half past eight. We are working people so that we can reach the workplace at the right time.”