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Local authorities must make efforts
One feels good to note the improvements seen by the Bathinda railway station in the recent past. Facilities of parking, escalators, better platforms and food stalls have changed the railway station. Moreover, the entry to the railway station, overhead pathways and reservation counters have also witnessed a facelift. Improvement is a continuous and time-consuming process. The Indian Railways with almost 8,000 stations has chalked out a plan to privatise a number of railway stations and trains with the sole aim of qualitative improvement. However, efforts are required to be made by the local railway station authorities to ensure smooth running of escalators, proper day-to-day maintenance of platforms, bathrooms, waiting halls and rest rooms. For public security, they must ensure that the station always remains free of rats, dogs, beggars and criminals.
Col (Retd) Virender Kumar
Privatisation may bear fruit
The Railways and the railway station need modernisation. Though the city railway station has seen some improvement with the installation of a lift and a ramp, but there is a lot to do for cleanliness. As far as cleanliness is concerned, Bathinda is lagging behind and it needs some more drastic measures. Food and other eatable are of poor quality and there should be a proper check on them. The railway station is not being maintained properly. Besides, the speed of trains is very slow in comparison to other countries. In China and Japan, some trains have run at 400 to 500 km per hour, but in India no train runs at more than 160 km per hour. According to per press reports, 50 railway stations are to be made of international standards and I am sure Bathinda will also be included in the list. Privatisation may help bring improvement.
Prof Rajnish Kumar
Check unauthorised entry, exit points
From the security point of view, the city railway station is vulnerable. Apart from the authorised entry and exit points, there are many unauthorised points, including entrance from the Railway Colony side and on the Mall Godown road. Any anti-social elements and passengers without ticket can enter or exit the railway station with ease. The authorities concerned must check these points and regulate entry and exit from the authorised points only. Basic amenities such as water, washrooms, waiting hall, lifts, elevator and medical facilities for the convenience of passengers, especially for senior citizens and differently abled, should be made available at the railway station.
Pursharth Joshi
install baggage scanning machines
The railway station lacks security arrangements and basic amenities for passengers. From the security point of view, there are no baggage scanning machines. Most of the time, security check gates do not work properly and there are hardly any security personnel to keep a check. There is no water arrangement at the waiting hall. Besides, passengers sit in the area where ticket windows are situated for hours waiting for their trains. Platform No. 1, 2, 4 and 5 do not have washrooms. The proposal for installing an elevator has not materialised so far. Like the metro station in New Delhi, there should be proper a security check and baggage scanning in order to avoid any untoward incident at the railway station.
Prof NK Gosain
Flyover should come up near entrance
A flyover should be constructed near the entrance from the Mall Road (Hanuman chowk lights) side, which should cross over the railway station. The main entrance of the railway station should be from other side (Railway Colony or Parasram Nagar).
Sudhir Mittal
QUESTION
While the city has witnessed expansion at a rapid pace over the past few years, there has been hardly any improvement in its fire-fighting facility as the Fire Department continues to face staff crunch and lack of infrastructure. We invite our readers to send in their views on what should be done to improve the situation?
Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to btitribune@gmail.com or post it to Bathinda Tribune, SCF-117, Opposite Harchand Cinema, Goniana Road, Bathinda, by September 29.
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