Title - Blackout fallout: Trains still running behind schedule

RANCHI: Train services in Ranchi division were disrupted for the third consecutive day on Thursday.

Around half a dozen trains, including a few premium ones, were disturbed in a ripple effect of the worst-ever blackout that hit 19 states on Tuesday. Jharkhand Swarna Jayanti Express (Delhi to Hatia) had arrived over 12 hours late on Tuesday. The same train was delayed for over six hours on Wednesday and for five hours on Thursday.

"The long distance trains have been the worst-hit ones and situation will take time to normalize," said divisional railways manager G Malaya. Jayanagar Ranchi Express, Patliputra Express and Patna Ranchi Jan Shatabdi Express were among the ones that ran hours behind the schedule.

The Ranchi railway station platform for the last two days has become a resting place for the passengers. Those who arrive late in delayed trains spend the night at the railway station.

On Thursday afternoon the platform number one of the railway station was crammed with passengers. The scene remained so till late in the evening. A source said that though power supply was restored trains were running behind schedule owing to the maintenance time taken by the trains. "No train can be allowed to undertake a journey without its proper maintenance. However, the maintenance time is being slightly reduced," said the source.