In order to best serve all the passengers during peak season this summer, the Indian Railways has taken steps to make journey hassle-free. Maintaining sanitation, hygiene, food quality always remain a challenge for the railways specially during the rush season.
The authorities, however claim that they are taking steps to fix all the lacunae and ensure best amenities. Railway senior officer Sanjay Shrivastava said, “Railway is doing its level best for the passengers. Much has been done and more initiatives are on the card. All shortcomings will be rectified.” Free Press team visited the Bhopal station to review the railway preparedness to tackle season’s rush and also the amenities at the station.
Unhygienic Stalls
Activities of vendors and hawkers still need to be checked. Some of the hawkers were seen least bothered about the cleanliness and hygiene. Food items and drinks were prepared in unhygienic manner. Eatables were not covered inviting all flies. Some cautious food sellers had kept their eatables under net and proper cover. Food plaza’s Ajay Tiwari said, “We are running business and people will only visit us if we ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the canteen.” The office of the health inspector was found locked.
Platform sans fans, shed
Some sections of the station are still devoid of fans. AH Wheelers stall at Platform no-2, some sections at platform no-1 are sans fan and passengers there were seen facing the brunt of scorching heat. The passengers at platform no-3 were seen standing under the blazing sun. The visitors were seen sitting on staircase which has a roof over it.
Choked, stinking drains
While the platforms were clean, the drains along tracks remain choked and flooded with water waste and filth. Foul stench emanating from clogged drains has encompassed the area. Keeping platforms clean is not enough as cleanliness in surrounding is required to maintain sanitation and hygiene at the railway station in entirety.
Water coolers, dispenser to quench thirst
Taps running dry at railway station is a thing of past. The authorities have made arrangement of clean drinking water in all the platforms. Water coolers and dispensers are being installed across the station to quench the thirst of passengers and visitors. Railway has managed it to ensure regular supply of water. Besides drinking water, there is sufficient supply of water in restrooms, lavatories and bathrooms.
Well-equipped retiring rooms
Equipped with AC, fans, the waiting rooms at the station provide passengers comfortable stay during the long wait. The retiring rooms are clean and tidy. Air-condition waiting room was found packed with passengers, some of whom were found napping on floor. However there were hardly any passengers in sleepers class and ladies waiting room.
Spic and span platform
The efforts to clean-up and make railway station look spic and span are yielding results. All the platforms looked clean to greet passengers. Mopping, washing platforms is now a routine business and for the same, the railways have required manpower and equipment. The platforms at the station are regularly washed. Separate washing unit for each platform has been made to ensure cleanliness.
