Passengers rue lack of facilities on Civl Lines side of railway station

Ludhiana: Lack of basic amenities on the Civil Lines side of Ludhiana railway station is giving a tough time to local rail commuters who have to use it for entry or exit. In the absence of the basic infrastructure from lack of proper seats for sitting to non-availability of safe drinking water along with no proper sheds or wash rooms, passengers are suffering. They are complaining about the failure of the railway authorities in developing such facilities even after passing of several years.
The situation becomes worst during sweltering weather conditions when it becomes difficult for passengers to stand for a second under direct sun rays. With no proper sitting arrangements, senior citizen passengers are forced to make the use of a check post of government railway police near the staircase whenever they need to take rest while waiting for their kin or friends. Apart from that, the portion of civil lines station is not even covered from top.
Sources in the railway department claimed that, “Despite knowing the fact that Civil Lines side of the Ludhiana railway station is being used by several frequent passengers for entry or exit purpose, they did not develop basic amenities there. This has become one of the reasons for inconvenience to passengers mostly in summer when it’s difficult to stand in open.”
Even though, the check post of government railway police based at Civil Lines is also covered with only metal sheets from all sides without having any proper space for police officials deputed there to keep a vigil on passengers,” sources added.
In a reality check by TOI team it was found that lack of sitting arrangements were forcing passengers to sit on staircases leading to different platforms of the railway station. Moreover, the passengers have been raising the issue of no development on Civil Lines side even after a decade.
Ludhiana station director Abhinav Singla said that, “Railway authorities are taking the help of local administration to develop that portion of the station. Although, a proposal for setting up basic amenities had been prepared by the railway authorities a few month back. This had been sent to to the higher authorities to sanction work on this portion of the station, but still local officials are waiting for green signal”
Moreover, railway authorities are in search of some NGOs, which can help the railway in developing basic amenities on that portion. “We are trying our best and soon will take up the issue with the general manager of Northern Railway to resolve the passengers’ grievance in every possible way,” told station director.
Ankit Kapoor , a passenger said, “The railways has not develop any infrastructure on the civil lines side of the station, which is frequented by passengers hailing from Ghumar Mandi, Civil Lines, BRS Nagar and Sarabha Nagar as they do not like to cross the Jagraon bridge road, where traffic jams are usual.”
Jatinder Kaur, another passenger, said “Women passenger suffer a lot due to lack of availability of resources on the Civil Lines railway station side. My three-year-old son fainted today after suffering a heat stroke. The railways should take the required measures for passengers’ sake,” told passenger.