Title - Train services remain suspended for seventh day

Palampur:
Train services between Pathankot and Jogindernagar remained disrupted for the seventh day today following landslides and damage caused by heavy rains last week on the Ranital and Jogindernagar track, causing inconvenience to hundreds of passengers.At present, there are no direct train services on the120-km railway track between Pathankot and Jogindernagar. However, the Northern Railway has partially restored services between Koparlahar and Paprola. Train services between Paprola and Jogindernagar are still suspended as a small culvert at Bhatehar village in Mandi district is yet to be repaired which was washed away last week.The Railways today cancelled four trains between the Koparlahar and Paprola track for technical reasons. Divisional Manager Railways, Freozpur, NC Goel said all efforts were being made to restore the train services between Pathankot and Jogindernagar at the earliest. He said a team of engineers and field staff was working round the clock to repair the track.It may be recalled that the British had laid down this railway track in 1932, passing through 33 stations linking all important and religious towns of Kangra and parts of Mandi district.The condition of the rail track between Pathankot and Jogindernagar has gone from bad to worse in the past 10 years, as the Railways has no funds to repair the same. Several small and big bridges are in a bad shape. The retaining walls on the tracks have developed major cracks can result in a tragedy anytime.