Train commuters lament lack of facilities at stations

It pours misery for hundreds of train commuters every time it rains, with the lack of any shelter at the various halts towards the city’s outskirts. But those who are dependent on trains to travel to and from their workplaces say the stations lack more than just shelters; they are devoid of most basic facilities.

Umamageswaran from the Trainspotters group, who is a regular train commuter on the Byappanahalli–Hosur line, told The Hindu that most of the stations on the line lack not just shelters but also basic facilities such as drinking water and toilets. “The platforms here don’t have any lights. Only the station master’s room has lights. It is difficult for the commuters in the evening when there is no light. We are managing by using the torchlight on our mobile phones,” he said.

Another commuter, Arun Prakash said none of these halts, including Anekal, Carmelaram, Heelalige, and Bellandur Road, has any parking facilities. “Those of us who depend on trains are forced to park wherever we find space. There is no security. There have been many instances of vehicles being stolen and petrol drained from the vehicles. There have been more than 10 such instances that have been reported on the Trainspotters group this year,” he said, and added that the members have informed the railway authorities about the same.

Commuters also lamented the lack of a proper timetable being put up at the halts. Muthukishore K., an IT professional, said at the Bellandur Road halt, a handwritten time table is pasted near the ticket counter. “Regular commuters are part of Telegram and WhatsApp groups from where they can get updates on the train timings. However, the railway authorities must think of regular commuters as well,” he said.

The group also pointed out that with no progress on track doubling between Byappanahalli and Hosur, trains have to wait for signals and this is causing delays. “We are planning to meet the South Western Railway’s Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru division, to discuss these issues,” one of the members said.

Meanwhile, senior railway officials told The Hindu that since the footfall at the halts cannot be compared with that of the regular railway stations, the Railways would not be able to provide here all the facilities available at the regular stations. The officials also said the Railway Board had given the track-doubling project a go ahead. The tenders for the same would be floated soon, they said.