Photos: Delhi’s suburban Ring Railway trundles away neglected | Hindustan Times
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Photos: Delhi’s suburban Ring Railway trundles away neglected

Updated On Nov 21, 2017 04:39 PM IST

Almost two years after the Centre’s promise to rejuvenate Delhi's ailling Ring Railway, commuters of the once-preferred mode are still waiting for action on the ground.

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Almost two years after the Centre’s promise to rejuvenate Delhi’s Ring Railway, commuters still await implementation. Built in 1975 for moving goods, the Ring Railway was upgraded during the 1982 Asian Games. But many who still ply the old railway have lost hope of its revival --marred by the putrid smell of garbage along the tracks, increasing incidents of theft, the infrequency of trains and, more importantly, the suburban railway’s slow, inexorable journey into oblivion. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Nov 21, 2017 04:39 PM IST

Almost two years after the Centre’s promise to rejuvenate Delhi’s Ring Railway, commuters still await implementation. Built in 1975 for moving goods, the Ring Railway was upgraded during the 1982 Asian Games. But many who still ply the old railway have lost hope of its revival --marred by the putrid smell of garbage along the tracks, increasing incidents of theft, the infrequency of trains and, more importantly, the suburban railway’s slow, inexorable journey into oblivion. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Today, a small community of about 4,000 takes the suburban train every day. They mostly comprise junior government employees, labourers, factory workers, and middle-class women from places such as Lajpat Nagar, making a journey to and from Sadar Bazar for shopping. A total of 7 trains cover a circular route of 35 km between Nizamuddin and Pragati Maidan, divided into 21 stations. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Nov 21, 2017 04:39 PM IST

Today, a small community of about 4,000 takes the suburban train every day. They mostly comprise junior government employees, labourers, factory workers, and middle-class women from places such as Lajpat Nagar, making a journey to and from Sadar Bazar for shopping. A total of 7 trains cover a circular route of 35 km between Nizamuddin and Pragati Maidan, divided into 21 stations. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Tilak Raj, a daily commuter of the Ring Railway, poses for a portrait outside the S P Marg Ring Railway Station in New Delhi. “It was a good mode of transport until the mid- 1990s, when it started going off track. The stations were better, the trains more frequent, the commuters more civilized. But then the government lost interest, the city spread, and the passengers drifted to buses that provided last-mile connectivity,” he said. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Nov 21, 2017 04:39 PM IST

Tilak Raj, a daily commuter of the Ring Railway, poses for a portrait outside the S P Marg Ring Railway Station in New Delhi. “It was a good mode of transport until the mid- 1990s, when it started going off track. The stations were better, the trains more frequent, the commuters more civilized. But then the government lost interest, the city spread, and the passengers drifted to buses that provided last-mile connectivity,” he said. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Passengers travelling from S P Marg Station to Daya Basti on the Ring Railway in New Delhi. S P Marg is one of three stations on the route without a booking office. In February 2016, then railway minister Suresh Prabhu’s announcement of the railway system’s revival owing to the severe stress the capital was under from rising pollution brought joy to many commuters. Nothing much has changed since as the system continues to decay. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Nov 21, 2017 04:39 PM IST

Passengers travelling from S P Marg Station to Daya Basti on the Ring Railway in New Delhi. S P Marg is one of three stations on the route without a booking office. In February 2016, then railway minister Suresh Prabhu’s announcement of the railway system’s revival owing to the severe stress the capital was under from rising pollution brought joy to many commuters. Nothing much has changed since as the system continues to decay. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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With slums, skyscrapers, monuments, rocks, dense forest, parks and tree-lined avenues visible through the large open coaches, a journey in the suburban train provides an alternative view of the city. For many that is reason enough for the government to revive it. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Nov 21, 2017 04:39 PM IST

With slums, skyscrapers, monuments, rocks, dense forest, parks and tree-lined avenues visible through the large open coaches, a journey in the suburban train provides an alternative view of the city. For many that is reason enough for the government to revive it. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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A view of the entrance to the Sardar Patel Marg Ring Railway Station in New Delhi. Over the years, deserted, dilapidated stations have become home to a motley cast of characters including vagrants, beggars, homeless, drug addicts and petty criminals. Tilak Raj, a frequent commuter describes Brar Square and Dayabasti stations as the ‘filthiest’ and a ‘den of criminals.’ (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Nov 21, 2017 04:39 PM IST

A view of the entrance to the Sardar Patel Marg Ring Railway Station in New Delhi. Over the years, deserted, dilapidated stations have become home to a motley cast of characters including vagrants, beggars, homeless, drug addicts and petty criminals. Tilak Raj, a frequent commuter describes Brar Square and Dayabasti stations as the ‘filthiest’ and a ‘den of criminals.’ (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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The primary reasons for the failure of the railway include poor connectivity to stations, and a lack of integration with the Delhi Metro or bus stops. With a surge in the metro’s ticket prices, for those of low income these trains still serve as viable option because of lower costs, although it often means reaching work at irregular times. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Nov 21, 2017 04:39 PM IST

The primary reasons for the failure of the railway include poor connectivity to stations, and a lack of integration with the Delhi Metro or bus stops. With a surge in the metro’s ticket prices, for those of low income these trains still serve as viable option because of lower costs, although it often means reaching work at irregular times. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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RN Singh, divisional railway manger (Delhi), says the plans to revive it may have been delayed but not shelved. However his comment fails to convince or provide relief to commuters who have lost all hope in the government’s ability to convert words into actions. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Nov 21, 2017 04:39 PM IST

RN Singh, divisional railway manger (Delhi), says the plans to revive it may have been delayed but not shelved. However his comment fails to convince or provide relief to commuters who have lost all hope in the government’s ability to convert words into actions. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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A view of the Patel Nagar railway station, past dusk in New Delhi. A railway staffer posted here called the suburban railway a ghost line. “This darkness is a result of discrimination and government apathy,” said the railway employee, not wishing to be named. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Nov 21, 2017 04:39 PM IST

A view of the Patel Nagar railway station, past dusk in New Delhi. A railway staffer posted here called the suburban railway a ghost line. “This darkness is a result of discrimination and government apathy,” said the railway employee, not wishing to be named. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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