Trains to run at slow speed in Maoist areas

In view of protest days being observed by Maoists from tomorrow, Railways have decided to restrict train speed to 50 kmph till June 21 in certain sections in West Bengal and Bihar.

The speed restrictions will be enforced in Asansol Division and Jamalpur-Kiul section of Malda Division. The decision comes on a day when Railways have once again extended suspension of night running of trains in Kharagpur Division till June 22, which was implemented after the Jnaneshwari Express train disaster near Jhargram on May 28.

A senior railway official said Railways have decided to initiate several other precautionary measures during the three-day protests by the Maoists.

During this period, trains will ply in bunch with a pilot escort engine, with the guards being fully equipped with walkie-talkie sets.

One advance pilot engine will also run ahead of the Rajdhani Express running on the routes, said a railway official.