Barricade at Ludhiana railway station entrance irks passengers

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, June 30

During the lockdown when the normal operation of the trains was suspended, the Northern Railway authorities here had erected a barricade at the main entry point of the railway station while entry from Civil Lines side (Guru Nanak Stadium) was completely closed to restrict entry to the railway station.

Now, as trains have been restored, the barrier at the main gate is causing huge inconvenience to passengers, especially the women, children, elderly and physically challenged persons.

In a communication to the Union Railway Minister, former councillor and Congress leader Parminder Mehta has demanded immediate removal of the barricade to provide easier access to rail passengers and enable motor vehicles, cycle rickshaws and three-wheelers to drop rail travellers inside the railway station.

He said passengers travelling with their families and carrying heavy luggage are forced to walk long distance from the main entry gate to their respective platforms as vehicles could not go inside the railway station complex due to barricades. “In larger interest of the public, these barricades should be removed and free access must be ensured to the platforms and booking counters,” Mehta added.

The Congress leader also pointed out that main gate of railway reservation centre, which was closed during the lockdown period, had also not been reopened till now. As the rail traffic was now being restored in a phased manner, the reservation centre should also be opened as the intending rail travellers were forced to purchase tickets at a premium from agents and touts as most of the migrant work force did not have access to internet facilities for e-booking, he said.