Dirty toilets, lack of pad-vending machines, ATMs irk membersPanel inspects rly stations

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 1

Dirty toilets and a lack of sanitation at the railway stations of the region irked the Public Amenities Committee (PAC), Ministry of Railways, which inspected the railway stations of Chandigarh, Mohali and Kalka today.

The committee pointed many issues, including a lack of ATM service, fans, sanitary pad-vending machines and poor security. The committee stated, due to the pandemic, the upkeep of the stations had suffered and suggested many ways which could help in upgrading it.

The committee, under the coordination of National PAC member and Northern Railways coordinator Tajinder Singh Sran, comprised Richa Pandey Mishra, Sunita Dyalan and Geeta Thakur. They first inspected the railway station of Mohali. After a short briefing with railway officers, they headed for Chandigarh and Kalka. Sran said: “We looked for amenities related to passengers, cleanliness at platforms, waiting rooms, availability of water, sanitation, public information windows, public address system, booking counters and public safety measures at the platforms.”

While inspecting the station, committee members highlighted the need for cleaner toilets and sanitary pad-vending machines, especially at Mohali station.

At the city’s railway station, the committee suggested a functioning ATM machine, preferably more than one, for passengers and more fans be installed at the platforms.

Meanwhile, in a press statement, Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala Division, Gurinder Mohan Singh, said: “The overall cleanliness at both stations was appreciated by the members. The committee also interacted with passengers and the latter gave positive feedback.