No AC installed in upper-class waiting room at city rly station

Ravi Chandel

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 28

Though the railway authorities never tire of making tall claims of providing hi-tech and better facilities to passengers at the city railway station, one fails to find precious little done by them in this regard.

The lone air-conditioned (AC) upper-class waiting room constructed along Platform Nos. 5 and 6 at the railway station has failed to serve its purpose. The authorities concerned have yet to install an AC, an LED, a CCTV camera and a Wi-Fi system for passengers’ convenience here. Passengers are left with no option but to fend for themselves.

It is pertinent to mention here that when Bathinda Tribune highlighted the issue in these columns in the past, station superintendent Ram Swaroop Meena had given an assurance that an AC, an LED, a CCTV camera and a Wi-Fi system would be installed soon in the upper-class waiting hall. Unfortunately, no action has been taken so far.

A number of passengers say despite giving full charges, including taxes, the railway station authorities have not been able to provide basic facilities to passengers.

Mamta Devi, a passenger, said, “Forget about LED and Wi-Fi system, the authorities would do well to install an AC in the waiting hall because in extreme hot weather conditions it is very difficult for a family with kids to sit in the waiting hall and wait for hours without an AC.”

According to sources in the railways, often passengers argue with railway employees over not providing an AC in the so-called AC waiting room. Some passengers had even complained to the station superintendent in this regard, but in vain.

Besides, from the security point of view, the upper-class waiting room is not safe at all without CCTV cameras. The authorities have to deploy an employee round the clock here.

When contacted, station superintendent Ram Swaroop Meena refused to comment on the issue.