THREE PERSONS were reportedly run over recently at the New Delhi railway station after tumbling over huge packets strewn all over the platforms.
The scene at Charbagh is no different. Huge parcels are either thrown carelessly on railway platforms or placed in such a manner that the passenger movement is obstructed. Sometimes, the unloaded parcels are not attended for days causing a lot of inconvenience to passengers moving with luggage and accompanied by children.
“Not only the parcels, you would find vendors, coolies, and even stray cattle hindering you at a time when you are in a hurry to board,” said Mathura Das, waiting for the train on platform No 3.
These last-minute obstructions to passengers mean a lot since most of the passenger trains halt for not more than 10 to 15 minutes. “Look at the thela wala! He is struggling to move on, so imagine how the passengers who are not used to the terrain would move,” said Mamta Jashnani. “It’s funny how Railways concentrate on the upkeep of only platform No 1,” she said and added, “What about other platforms, aren’t we paying to be on them too?”
Thousands of parcels are loaded/unloaded from the Charbagh railway station, whereas the passenger movement per day has been estimated at 25,000.
Despite this, the GRP, the station officials at the Charbagh Railway station make little effort to streamline the system. “Are they waiting for a mishap?” said Mallika, Mamta’s co-passenger. “Often vendors move very close to the coach and refuse to budge even on request,” she added.
{{/usCountry}}Despite this, the GRP, the station officials at the Charbagh Railway station make little effort to streamline the system. “Are they waiting for a mishap?” said Mallika, Mamta’s co-passenger. “Often vendors move very close to the coach and refuse to budge even on request,” she added.
{{/usCountry}}Divisional Railway Manager (NR) RK Gupta admitted that the problem of obstruction was persistant. “But there clear guidelines to the parcel office and even the vendors to stay away at a distance of 1.5 metre from the train,” he said. He added that he had forced vendors to stay away many a time at the station, but they keeping come close to the train and cause obstruction to passengers. He assured that the issue would be looked into seriously and anybody crossing the line or strewing parcels in the prohibited area would be fined.