Nagpur: Once dubbed to be world class, Nagpur
railway station is crying for an early revamp.
Though the new station entrance and a green lawn alongside, besides Buland Gallery gives a new look to the station, of the late passengers have been complaining about grave inconvenience over incomplete works of fitting floor tiles and potholes on platforms at many spots.
“For the last four days, the track along platform number 2 is virtually stinking owing to choked drains. Passengers cannot even stand for long,” said Richard D’Souza, a regular traveller to Gondia.
Many places on platform number 2-5 are uneven posing danger to passengers. “I was about to fall when I was rushing to board Gitanjali Express and came across a pothole with my luggage the other day,” said Piyush Jain, an executive.
“It is good that Central Railway is spending crores to upgrade the station by installing escalators and lifts but it should improve basic amenities first,” he added.
Regular traveller Avinash Prabhune said, “While connecting one FOB to another on Wardha end, there is a steep slope of granite stone which is slippery and it is dangerous to tread, especially with luggage. At many places floor tiles have come off,” he added.
Ex-chief of the Railway Board’s passengers amenities committee (PAC) Dr Ashok Tripathi was not surprised when TOI called him for his reaction. Tripathi said, “During PAC’s frequent inspections of the station last year, I had specifically pinpointed about cleanliness and maintenance of platforms. Ventilation of platforms is also an issue.”
“I agree there is always scope for improvement but this is sheer negligence. Unless DRM and ADRMs pay surprise visits to the station and take action against erring staff, things won’t improve. When railways is spending crores on passenger amenities, officials also need to perform,” Tripathi said.
On the contrary, Central Railway assistant commercial manager (ACM) and spokesperson SG Rao says, “Work to install floor tiles on platform is in progress. Once the work is completed, there will be no issue. Secondly, the choked drains are taken care of regularly and men were already doing the task.”
