Deadline near, work on escalators, lifts yet to begin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 17

Though the construction of a foot overbridge (FOB) at the city railway station is almost nearing completion (the deadline is April 30), the process of fixing escalators and lifts at both ends of the FOB has not taken off yet.

Railway passengers and city residents residing in trans-railway colonies said it is painful to reach the platform after crossing 110-metre-long ramp and climbing more than 50 stairs. Besides, reaching the platforms for senior citizens and children is no less than a nightmare.

Kuljeet Singh, a resident of Parasram Nagar, said, “During the construction of the FOB the railway authorities had claimed that escalators and lifts will be installed very soon, but nothing has been done till now. The lax attitude of the railway authorities shows how serious they are about addressing public issues.”

Lalita Devi, an elderly woman, said, “Climbing the stairs to reach platforms is quite tough for me. I have to take four halts while climbing the stairs. The authorities concerned need to think about senior citizens.”

When contacted, Bhushan Garg, railway construction department, XEN, said, “Our work is only to construct a layout for the escalators and lifts while it is for the railway electrification department to install escalators and lifts.”

Bhushan Garg said the layout construction for installing lifts and escalators would begin in the first week of May.