NEW DELHI: More than 2000 trains were affected across the country as protestors of the Agnipath Scheme damaged properties worth more than Rs 259 crores, Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Parliament on Friday.
In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Vaishnaw said 2,132 trains were cancelled between June 15 and June 23. Train services were affected due to agitation and protest against Agnipath Scheme at 62 locations.
Vaishnaw said that separate data regarding the amount of refund granted to passengers, due to disruption of rail services on account of public disorder consequent to agitations like those held after the launching of the Agnipath Scheme, is not maintained.
“However, during the period of June 14 to June 30, a total refund of approximately Rs 102.96 crores was granted on account of cancellation of trains and a loss of Rs 259.44 crore due to damage or destruction of railway assets in agitations against Agnipath Scheme was incurred,” the Minister said while responding to a question from MDMK MP Vaiko.
Vaishnaw said that all the affected train services cancelled on account of the Agnipath Scheme have been restored.
In the wake of mass protests in several parts of the country against the Agnipath Scheme, railway properties were vandalised, torched or attacked in various parts of country.