TAD NewsDesk, Punjab: Punjab Industries and Commerce department noted the financial destitution of the state because of the suspension of goods train for a good 50 days time.
In an excel sheet prepared by the department has a penned down loss of production and exports mounting up to an amount of Rs 21,391 crore as a result of the blockage of goods train since October 1. This suspension has been done because of the disapproval by the farmers of the newly created Centre’s farm laws.
Alok Shekhar, principal secretary of industries and commerce mentioned that the losses as mentioned in the table are only until November 2 and the latest data is still under compilation.
Estimated loss of production and exports in Punjab’s industrial units
| City | Affected Units | Estimated production and export loss |
|---|---|---|
| Ludhiana | 34,461 | Rs 16730 crore |
| Jalandhar | 200 | Rs 3600 crore |
| Gurdaspur | 300 | Rs 300 crore |
| Mohali | 6,200 | Rs 200 crore |
| Amritsar | 280 | Rs 200 crore |
| Patiala | 148 | Rs 150 crore |
Mr Shekhar said that the industry is going through extenuating circumstances and facing huge losses. Everyone is dealing in their own ways with the situation.
The city has a total of 81,812 functional industrial units as on March 31, 2020, out of which 34,461 (42%) units have been affected due to stuck containers.
Ajit Lakra, president of Ludhiana knitters Association said in an interview to The Wire that,
“We have not only lost financially but our reputation as traders too has suffered due to the existing stalemate. The opportunity that was there to grab as an alternative to China has already been dashed. Even the domestic market suffered due to the suspension of goods trains.”
He also added,
“Also, using a 40 feet or 20 feet container is much cheaper than sending goods through trucks.”
The sports goods industry of Jalandhar which is very well known also reported an estimated loss of Rs 3500 crore in exports till now. Moreover, there has been a production loss of Rs 100 crore alone.
According to the data shared by the public relation department of the Northern Railways, he Railways also cited revenue loss to the tune of Rs 891 crore and total earning loss of Rs 2,200 crore due to the suspension of goods and passengers trains in Punjab.
The protestors have been insisting to run the freight trains only. But Railway Board chairman V.K. Yadav said during a virtual press conference, “The railways cannot operate in such a manner. If tracks are clear, they should be clear for both freight and passenger trains.”
He said protesters still remained on the tracks at one railway station and had assembled just outside station premises in 22 other places, threatening to move to the tracks if passenger trains are allowed. He ruled out the possibility of starting train operations in such a situation.
The farmers’ associations are in Punjab are marching towards Delhi using the following highways:
- The Amritsar-Delhi National Highway (Kundli Border)
- Hisar-Delhi highway (Bahadurgarh)
- Jaipur-Delhi Highway (Dharuhera)
- Bareilly-Delhi highway (Hapur)
- Agra-Delhi Highway (Ballabhgarh)
Darshan Pal of the Joint Kisan Morcha said that the entire country will witness the “historic struggle” of the farmers on November 26, which is also celebrated as Constitution Day. He said the movement against the “anti-farmer laws” has now reached a decisive phase. Farmers across the country are arriving in the national capital for an indefinite struggle under the call of “Delhi Chalo”, he said.
Both the farmers and the railway association has been on the crossroads since the Centre’s farm laws has been passed. Railways have been incurring huge losses and still not been made functional. In Punjab, the farmer’s agitation is still ongoing and yet to be provided with any solution.
Source: The Wire
