Title - Cantonment railway station wallows in filth

VARANASI: The railway authorities seem to have no interest in keeping the Cantonment railway station in proper order despite knowing the fact that large number of devotees and tourists come to the holy city daily.Turning a blind eye towards the problems being faced by the passengers due to waterlogging, levelling of surface as part of the ongoing renovation and improper cleanliness arrangements, the railway authorities casually claim that the problems are because of the huge gathering of non-genuine persons. Passengers could be seen struggling to get a place even to stand properly while waiting for the trains on platform six and seven due to delay in removal of debris and dumping of concrete slabs being laid on the platforms as a part of renovation work which started three months back.The slow pace of vacuum dewatering work is the most alarming problem faced by them. Heavy concrete slabs which are to be laid on the surface in order to make it strong, are placed just below the staircase of the platform, causing injuries to passengers. The concrete debris extracted from the platform surface is also lying scattered, leaving no space for passengers. Manoj Singh, a traveller, said: "We have to wait on the overbridge with our luggage, we cannot sit here on the heap of concrete."A tea vendor said: "Condition becomes worse when a train arrives. People who deboard the train are not aware of the concrete lying on platforms they often hurt themselves."

Assistant divisional engineer Rakesh Kumar said the work is being delayed because of unavailability of concrete. As soon as the supply of concrete will be sufficient, the work will be completed. "The surface dewatering work has already been done on platform number four and five. Afterwards, we will shift towards platform number two and three," he added.

During the ongoing month of Shrawan, lakhs of devotees, tourists and Kanwariyas visit the city. Cantonment railway station is least prepared to handle the huge rush of passengers. There are insufficient number of benches at the platforms and passengers have to make their own arrangements.

"There is no shortage of benches on the platforms. Out of total strength at railway platforms, nearly 25 per cent are the real passengers and others unwanted elements. We try to keep a check on them," station manager A K Pandey said. "No special preparations have been made in view of Shrawan month. Maintaining cleanliness at the station is a routine work which is being performed regularly," he clarified.

A cursory glance at the platforms belies Pandey's claims.

There are around 111 cleaning staffers engaged in cleanliness task at the station. Pandey said: "After struggling to control waterlogging, our focus is on cleanliness and sanitation. Officers visit to monitor the work regularly. Cooperation from passengers is needed to maintain cleanliness."

"This railway station shows you the index of the entire city which is gripped by unmanaged construction work and careless attitude towards cleanliness," Dev Chand, a passenger on way to Allahabad, said.

"I had heard that there is garbage lying everywhere in Varanasi and when I deboarded the train, I was introduced with the manners of the city at platform itself, full of waterlogging, garbage and clutter," Luca, a French tourist said.