Train services back on track

VARANASI: Notwithstanding the incessant drizzle that marked the start of the New Year on Sunday, the long-distance train services, especially the northbound ones, were back on the track on the first day of the year.
While the delay in plying of around a dozen long-distance trains making to and fro journey from New Delhi, Jaipur, Dehradun, Jammu and Amritsar in the northern parts of country was minimised, the timely start of some of prominent trains like Varanasi-New Delhi Shivganga Express, Kashi Vishwanath Express and Garib Rath brought respite for the passengers in the region. Ashok Kumar, public relations officer, NER (Varanasi), said the improved weather conditions with bright sunshine in the last one week have helped in bringing train services back on track.
The changed weather conditions helped get rid of poor visibility due to foggy and misty conditions, and most of the trains are now running on time. Besides Sitamarhi-New Delhi Lichchvi Express that has remained cancelled, most of the trains passing through the division are plying on time, he added. Similar reports are also pouring from NR (Cantonment) office.
A number of trains including Varanasi-Jodhpur Marudhar Express, Varanasi-Jammu Express (superfast), Doon Express and others are either running on time or the delay has been curtailed to less than three hours. The night bus services of roadways have also improved in the last one week. According to P K Tiwari, regional manager, UPSRTC, nearly 25% of bus services that were affected due to foggy conditions have now been restored.