Kochi: It is estimated that crores of rupees have been lost due to the violence in the railway stations during the agitation in the northern states against the ‘Agneepath’ project, which was announced for a four-year short tenure in the army. Protesters in Bihar, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana extensively vandalized railway stations and damaged equipment. Trains were set on fire in Bihar and Telangana. In Bihar alone, the railways estimate a loss of Rs 200 crore.
Even if a coach catches fire, the loss to the railways is in the millions, and the widespread burning of trains can lead to huge financial losses. The new LHB AC coaches are worth around Rs 2.5 crore. Sleeper – 1.66 crore, General – 1.67 crore, AC to tire, First AC – 2.30 crore, Third AC – 2.36 crore, Generator car – 3.03 crore and Pantry car – 2.32 crore. The 22-coach LHB train will cost around Rs 45 crore. The WAP7 locomotive is priced at Rs 12.38 crore and the diesel locomotive (WDP4D) is priced at Rs 13 crore.
Although the production of traditional ICF coaches has been discontinued, many trains are still being used by older coaches. The construction cost of the train with ICF coaches is `25 crore. Most of the trains destroyed by the protesters were trains with new LHB coaches. Officials point out that the railways have lost crores of rupees.
Bihar has witnessed the highest number of incidents of violence at railway stations. In Bihar alone, more than a dozen trains caught fire. The violence at railway stations in Bihar has caused an estimated Rs 200 crore in damage. Dhanapur Rail Division DRM Prabhat Kumar said 50 coaches and 5 engines were completely burnt out. These are no longer usable. Prabhat Kumar also said that platforms, computers and parts of various equipment were damaged.
The protesters carried out attacks in Danapur, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Bhojpur, Vaishali, Nalanda, Supol and Hajipur in Bihar. The Vikramshila Express at Lakhisarai station and the Magadha Express at Islampur were set on fire. The Rajgir-Dhanapur Express caught fire in Fatua. The attackers set fire to trains and vehicles at the Danapur railway station in Patna. Union Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav has said that some bogies of the Farrakha Express train were on fire.
English Summary: Agnipath stir: Railways a soft target of attacks, incurring huge losses