Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar station, which is in the process of being developed into a world class station, is devoid of ramp facility. As a result, differently-abled, aged and ailing people visiting the railway station are forced to go through nightmarish experiences. Even passengers with trolley bags have problems dragging their luggage up or down the foot-bridge stairs.
According to sources, on an average, the daily footfall of passengers at Bhubaneswar railway station is about 80,000 and the station handles about 220 halting trains and 12 pairs of trains originating from here every day.
“Bhubaneswar station is said to be one of the top 100 booking stations of Indian Railways. Besides, steps are underway to develop it into a world class station. Unfortunately, the station still lacks ramp facility and this is causing a lot problems,” Bharat Bhushan Mohanty, an Assam-bound passenger, told Orissa POST. Passengers in wheel chairs, in particular, go through a tough time to move from one platform to another,” he added.
The various facilities available for passenger movement at the station now include one escalator on platform No-1 at Cuttack end, two foot over-bridges, four lifts – one each with a capacity of 20 persons at platform No 1 and platform No 6 and one each with capacity of 13 persons at platform No 4 and platform No 5. Similarly, there are three wheel chairs kept near the parcel office and one moveable ramp each at platform No 1 and platform No 6.
These apart, several passenger-friendly facilities like free Wi-Fi and digital transaction at all kiosks are also available at the station. Recently, a second entry and station building with new ticket booking complex outside platform No 6 have also been inaugurated.
Despite all the facilities, the station lacks ramp facility. “We have provided lifts and escalator facilities. The lifts are categorically for elderly and differently-abled passengers,” an ECoR official said.
Nevertheless, the situation during rush hours is altogether different. “The lifts are always overcrowded, forcing the needy passengers to use steps, causing utmost discomfort,” a passenger rued, adding, passengers in platform Nos 2 and 3 are facing the real problem as these platforms do not have any lift facility.
When contacted, senior assistant divisional engineer, ECoR, S K Das said the problem has already been noticed and very soon the station will have an FOB-cum-ramp at the Khurda end connecting platform No 1 and platform No 6.
PNN