Railway quarters crying for attention

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 1

Employees of the Railways complain that the quarters near the railway station are in a dilapidated condition.

They said some of the quarters were lying vacant as employees were compelled to stay in a rented accommodation.

Quarter No. 451 and 452 do not have proper infrastructure as these were built more than 25 years ago. However, officials said the construction of new quarters is in its last stage and the employees will be shifted there soon.

The wife of an employee, who didn’t wish to be named, said, “It has been over six months since we had requested officials to allot us a new quarter due to poor infrastructure. Our request is yet to be considered. A few days ago, my son had a narrow escape as a portion of the building collapsed. Besides, the quarter where we are living now doesn’t have enough space. Leaking roofs are one of the problems that we face in these quarters during the rainy season. Even water tanks on the top floor have not been covered.”

Another employee of the Railways said he was left with no option, but to live in these quarters with poor infrastructure. I could not afford the rent for a private accommodation, he added.

There has been no proper fencing or boundary around these quarters. However, construction work of separate quarters is going on. The wiring work is left, said a worker at the spot.

Sukhdev Singh, Assistant Divisional Engineer, Bathinda, said, “We repair all residential quarters on a regular basis. Officials of the Railways have prepared a list of quarters that require repairs. We have around 1,150 quarters. A survey in this regard was conducted before the monsoon. New quarters are being built and their work is in the last stage.”