Title - Railway panel thinks Pune station is clean

PUNE: Members of the passenger amenities' committee of the Indian Railways who visited Pune railway station on Monday found the station satisfactorily clean but sought improvement in seating arrangements.

On making Pune a world-class station, the committee said the Railways would start with Delhi and later take up works at other stations in phases.

The committee's chairman Chalvadi Narayanswami along with other members including Raghavendra Pratapsingh, Sayantan Chatterjee, and Alam Khan, who inspected the passenger amenities at the station said cleanliness at stations and in trains is top priority.

The chairman said a toll-free helpline number will be displayed on the platforms for passengers to lodge complaints.

When told that cleanliness on tracks at the station is a big concern and that many people are unhappy about the situation, railway officials maintained there has been an improvement in the last three months.

Chalvadi said he had noticed lack of seating arrangements at the station and that many passengers were sitting on the floor of the platforms. He said he had asked railway officials to improve the arrangements.

Observing that all bonafide passengers deserve good amenities, the committee members said all the problems at stations will be identified and rectified. They appreciated the 24 x 7 CCTV surveillance, bag scanning, display and sign boards at Pune station.

On complaints about the quality of food served at stations and on trains, Chalvadi said he had inspected kitchens to ensure that quality of food is maintained.

Pune was listed among 50 other stations for world-class facilities and passenger amenities. Railway officials said the works will first be taken up at Delhi station.

The committee members admitted that funds were an issue that hindered works.

Railway officials said there was no immediate possibility for a separate terminus or a platform at the station for suburban local trains.

On halting of express trains at intermediate stations to reduce passenger traffic at Pune station, the railway officials said a few trains do halt at the stations and they were working on this plan.

Pune divisional railway manager Suneet Sharma, additional divisional railway manager A B Mendhekar were also present during the inspection.