На станции KSR в Бангалоре из-за дождей и крыс пассажирам приходится преодолевать препятствия

Rain and rats turn KSR into obstacle course for passengers Print this article Reduce font size Increase font size A water vending machine at KSR Bengaluru’s platform remains locked with no signs of being available for public use By Vasudha ZoraDespite its NSG-1 status and Rs 757 crore annual earnings, the station struggles to maintain basic hygeine and passenger amenities Bengaluru’s KSR railway station’s back gate is riddled with civic issues causing menace to passengers and others who participate in the daily grind of the railways. The stretch around platform 6 and 7 has a mix of ongoing works and civic issues alongside exposed and loosely hanging cables visible across the roofing and structures. It was also found that parts of the passage were riddled with construction material and uneven stretches, while the platforms are used by passengers moving in and out of the station. A recent audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) flagged gaps in basic passenger amenities at the station. The audit covered the period between 2019-20 and 2023-24 and found that KSR Bengaluru was one of only 10 stations in the country classified under the NSG-1 category. It was found that the station did not have water coolers for passengers, despite these being a minimum requirement for the category. During the audit period, the station recorded annual earnings of Rs 757 crore and handled a passenger footfall of 2.4 crore. 31 stations were covered under South Western Railway, with essential amenity shortfalls found at 10 stations in the zone. On ground at platform 6 and 7, shopkeepers shared that the rain worsens the conjecture on platforms as the rainwater seeps into the pathway, accumulating garbage on the way, carried along with foul smell that becomes problematic for all those who walk onto slippery pathways to get to boarding and deboarding. “Even though regular cleaning is being done, and everyone is mostly prompt, but there needs to be a larger plan. Using population and traffic as excuses does not help. We as citizens also have to take responsibility and the authorities should make sure there is good quality and quantity of equipment for their staff to better the condition of railway stations,” said Tyagu, a shopkeeper. Tyagu and his employees also said that passengers’ behaviour also contributes to the waste accumulation problem, who they noticed dump their leftovers and other wastes onto the tracks. They suggest authorities put up posters or boards clearly instructing passengers not to litter and use the dustbins provided. “At night, I come across many rats that are almost as big as rabbits. Rains definitely attract mosquitoes, regardless of regular and basic cleaning done. Puddles become breeding grounds for these mosquitoes, rats and other infectious beings. Alongside this, taps are constantly leaking and the water vending machines installed at the platforms are almost non-operational, often found locked and inaccessible to people. Many resort to buying water bottles at three times the cost of the vending machine water,” said Manoj, a helper at a nearby shop. The machine displayed prices of Rs 2 for 300 ml, Rs 3 for 500 ml, Rs 5 for one litre, Rs 8 for two litres and Rs 20 for five litres when using a refill option, while prices with containers were displayed separately. The lack of water coolers recorded during the audit adds to the concerns around water facilities at the platforms. Since then, the Railways has announced a ‘Tank-to-Tap’ water filtration system and water coolers were installed at 20,000 locations across the network, with water quality and availability to be monitored. GALLERIES View more photos Aero India 2021: 13th edition of air show begins today Pedestrians Only! PM lays foundation stone of new Parliament building