LUDHIANA: In another crucial step towards giving Ludhiana railway
station a face lift, the local authorities have roped in members and volunteers from city-based several NGOs for carrying out graffiti works as well as installation of condom vending machines inside the bathrooms of the station. The moved is aimed at uplifting the standard of the station, which is already facing the apathy of rail officials and the maintenance staff. When asked about the initiative, Ludhiana
railway station director Abhinav Singla said railway authorities had joined hands with several city-based NGOs to work on graffiti projects planned for the beautification of the railway station's boundary walls.
"Apart from this, condom vending machines too will be installed inside men's toilets," he said. We have given a free hand to any NGO or private organisation that may be interested in making use of the railway space for development works that can provide a sense of relief to a large number of passengers visiting the station .
Earlier, some NGOs had installed sanitary pad vending machines in women's bathrooms. This move has proved highly beneficial and helped in easing the woes of women passengers travelling from the station. Although in the past year, the railway authorities had done graffiti works on the footover bridge, but within months of its completion, irresponsible passengers had spit
paan on its walls. This led to a major embarrassment for rail officials and frequent passengers." Moreover, Railways has given free access to college and university authorities to send their students at the station to carry out graffiti and design works as done on some flyovers in the city.
Representative image