Berhampur: The waiting halls of Berhampur station have turned into night shelters for many anti-socials thanks to negligence from the railway department.
This has put the lives and properties of passengers in danger. Due to lack of facilities, the railway police and RPF fail to arrest the anti-socials, making it easy for criminals to have a field day in Berhampur station.
A meeting was held in the presence of Berhampur railway supervisors committee Friday. The committee expressed displeasure over the negligent attitude of railways. The committee members brought the matter to the notice of Khurda Division Commercial Manager (DCM) Sambit Sourav Nayak, station manager Manoj Lakra and health officer M Gopal Krishna.
Berhampur station, entry gate to southern Orissa, witnesses thousands of railway passengers every day. However, the station has no facilities for passengers. Most passengers fear a threat to their lives and properties while waiting for trains in the waiting rooms of the station.
Despite multiple reminders, no steps have been taken in this connection. In its earlier meeting, the panel had expressed it wish for the construction of a rest shed, latrines and drinking water supply facilities along with a welcome gate at Bijipur. Unfortunately, not even one was fulfilled by the railway department, said a committee member ET Rao adding that no steps were taken in the development of the station for last two years.
Railway police inspector Bijay Kumar Mahapatra and sub-inspector Santosh Bahinipati expressed their concerns on the poor security system in the station. A playground near the station has become a hub for anti-socials who prefer to seek shelter in the waiting halls, they said.
Mohapatra and Bahinipati demanded a barrack besides the playground and deployment of more police personnel in the station premises. PNN