Thousands of litre of water wasted at Ara railway station everyday

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara: Thousands of litre of water is wasted at Ara railway station as the water taps remain open the entire day everyday. Thre are 23 water taps on Ara railway station premises and platforms while Rotary Club of Ara donated a handpump on the platform. But the water taps are always open and water spills on platforms and station premises. The handpump has eveloped snag and is useless for the passengers. Passengers said that pure drinking water and a water tank is available on Ara railway station but garbage is dumped there. The water tank is never cleaned and water emits foul smell.

Though railway minister Suresh Prabhu claims improvement in basic amenities at all the railway stations across the country and cleaning through outsourcing but the Ara railway station is an exception. Filth and garbage is scattered everywhere on Ara railway platforms and premises. Waterlogging on rail track, platforms and railway premises cis ausing a lot of problems to the passengers. A passenger, in a bid to catch the train, slipped and injured due to water on the platform. The passengers at railway station hardly get pure drinking water though.

The railway officials at Ara railway station do not appear concerned about it. Whenever a senior official of the railway or DRM or the GM visit Ara, the entire station premises including the platforms are cleaned and decorated with garlands and flowers. Bleaching powder is spread and sweepers and scavengers can be seen performing their duty. Almost all the windows of the ticket counters are opened and inquiry counter starts working properly. But as soon as the officials return, things take U- turn.

S N Pathak, Station Manger, Ara,  said that employees have been warned and stern action might be taken for dereliction in duty.  He said grievances of passengers would be redressed at the earliest.