Jamshedpur: : Chief Minister Hemant Soren criticized the Railways for focusing on freight traffic at the expense of passenger trains and accused it of compromising commuters’ interest in the Tatanagar section.Questioning the persistent delays of passenger trains, Hemant said that for the past two years, freight trains moved seamlessly.Raising the issue on hisIn an oblique reference to the railways’ apparent preference for freight over commuter trains, the CM said the larger question was not about the movement of trains, but about the railways’ priorities. “Is the time of Jharkhand’s people as valuable as freight movement to the Railways?” said Soren.He requested Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to prioritize passenger trains in the Tatanagar section and sought time-bound completion of infrastructural projects on the route.Soren said a solution to delayed passenger trains should be found immediately and asserted that any compromise on the amenities and dignity of the people of Jharkhand was unacceptable.With delays continuing on the Tatanagar-Chakradharpur and Tatanagar-Chandil routes for nearly three years, residents across Kolhan division’s three districts have launched a movement against the railways. The Rail Yatri Sangharsh Samiti, steered by Jamshedpur (West) MLA Saryu Roy, has begun a signature campaign.Aditya Choudhary, senior commercial manager of Chakradharpur division, said operations had improved over the past fortnight. On April 27, he claimed punctuality had risen from 35% to 65%-75%, while delays had reduced from 120 minutes to 15-20 minutes.
