Title - North Eastern Railways drive against unauthorized persons on railway stations

VARANASI: The Varanasi division of North Eastern Railways (NER) is carrying out a special drive from August 3 to August 16 to keep the railway stations free from anti-social elements, unauthorized vendors and other unwanted persons crowding the railway stations.

A special check will be kept on unattended articles lying at station premises as well as trains with the help of dog squad and hand metal detectors. As many as 4,850 people were detained from January to July this year at different places under the division in connection with alarm chain pulling. Unauthorized vendors were also arrested for illegally selling eatables and meals on railway platforms under the Railway Protection Act.

NRE general manager V Ramchandran held a meeting to discuss the preparations of Kumbh Mela with the officials of Varanasi division on Thursday. He directed that the weekly report of the progress on passenger facilities during Kumbh like extra booking counters, food stalls, water booths, cleanliness and sanitation should reach the headquarters timely. He stated that the preparations for new trains that will run during the Kumbh festivity should also be completed on time and special care of safety, cleanliness, punctuality and other passengers facilities in trains will be taken during the festival.