Passengers seek ramps at rly station

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 15

In the absence of ramps at the city railway station, passengers have to face a lot of inconvenience. Commuters, especially elderly persons, physically handicapped and women carrying babies, are the worst affected. It is not only tiresome but also a time-consuming affair for such passengers to reach their respective platforms at the railway station.

The matter was highlighted on numerous occasions in these columns but authorities concerned have not taken any concrete steps to provide the facility to passengers.

A visit by this correspondent to the railway station found that elderly and physically handicapped passengers, women and children were made to climb the stairs before making it to the platforms.

Similarly, hundreds of passengers visiting the railway station continue to face difficulty in reaching platforms as they have to not only walk across a 110-m-long ramp, but also climb the stairs. Passengers rue that it is difficult for them to reach platforms as they have to climb the stairs with luggage.

Ramesh Kumar, who was accompanying his handicapped son, said, “I travel to Ludhiana for my son’s treatment three times in a month. His legs were paralysed after an accident and he cannot climb the stairs so I have to carry him on my shoulders each time while climbing the stairs at the railway station. The authorities must install lifts or ramps at the railway station so handicapped or elderly passengers do not have to face difficulty in reaching their platforms. There is one ramp near the entrance of the station but if the authorities install ramps to platforms, it would be a huge relief to many.”

Usman Khan, a passenger, said, “Climbing the stairs along with luggage is really difficult for my wife and children. First we have to walk across the 110-m-long ramp and then use the stairs to reach the platform. The number of passengers at the railway junctions has increased manifold. It is high time for the authorities to install lifts and escalators here.”

Station Superintendent Ramswaroop Meena could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.