SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 8: After over five years, the Dhanbad–Ranchi Intercity Express train will stop at Katrasgarh Railway station in the Dhanbad-Chandrapura rail section under Dhanbad Rail Division.
East Central Railway (ECR) railway zone issued a notification about the stoppage of this train at Katrasgarh railway station from November 9, ending the long agitation of the coal belt people.
Stoppage of the Dhanbad-Ranchi Intercity Express at Katrasgarh Railway station was stopped on June 15, 2017. In the wake of the Jharia underground fire danger, the Railway Board suspended the 34 km-long Dhanbad –Chandrapura rail line on June 15, 2017. The step was initiated on the recommendation of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS).
Following the suspension of the track, the movement of 26 pairs of mail-express trains was affected.
However, following the agitation of people, the Railway Board finally opened Dhanbad–Chandrapura rail line on February 25, 2019, before the Lok Sabha election. But stoppage of Dhanbad-Ranchi Intercity was not given at Katrasgarh Railway station.
As per the railway notification, the train would stop for two minutes at the said station. While on way to Ranchi from Dhanbad, the train would arrive at 6:06 am and set out at 6.08 am. While returning to Dhanbad from Ranchi, the train would arrive at 10.25 pm and set out for Dhanbad at 10.27 pm.
“Thanks to the union government as well as the Railway Board for fulfilling the demand of people of the region,” said social activist Vijay Jha of Katras who along with Binod Goswamy waged a long battle for resuming of Dhanbad- Chandrapura line and stoppage of the Intercity at Katrasgarh railway station.
Jha said Ranchi is the state capital where people have to go for official work daily. But due to the non-stoppage of the train at Katrasgarh railway station, people of the region had to go to Dhanbad, which is 35 km away, for the Ranchi train.
He said the stoppage of Intercity at Katrasgarh Railway station is the result of the peaceful agitation of thousands of people. However, he said the stir of the people would continue till the railway does not resume the movement of the Dhanbad-Chandrapur passenger train for which the DC line is recognized and is considered the lifeline of people of the coal belt.
