LUCKNOW: In a bid to help the state maintain power supply in the scorching heat, the railway board has cancelled eight express trains in UP till further notice to provide hassle free passage to coal laden freight trains for thermal power stations.
The move came after consulting the UP government, which has recorded a steep surge in power demand amid rising mercury.
The cancelled express trains are - Bareilly-Prayagraj Sangam Express (14308), Prayagraj Sangam-Bareilly Express (14307), Lucknow-Meerut Express (22453), Meerut -Lucknow Express (22454), Bareilly-Roza Express (04380), Roza-Bareilly Express (04379), Kathgodam-Moradabad Express (05331) and Moradabad-Kathgodam Express (05332).
The officials said, "We are already giving special preference to coal laden freight trains or the empty rakes heading to fetch coal for thermal power plants. In fact, the freight operations in certain sections are running at 100 kmph - the average speed is above 56 kmph."
On Wednesday, state power minister AK Sharma's said: "Demand for electricity has increased due to scorching heat. All engineers of discoms are instructed to expedite the maintenance." He emphasized on recovering the power dues from defaulters.
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