Choc-o-bloc, but Jammu cleans up its act quite well

JAMMU The Jammu Tawi Railway station — one of the busiest railway stations in India, has been ranked as the third cleanest railway station among the 75 busy stations across the country by a survey carried out by the Quality Council of India.

Despite being the third cleanest station, it continues to burst at the seams as an increasing footfall of passengers is recorded every day. The station has only three platforms since 1972, thereby making it one of the congested and overcrowded stations in the country.

Station manager Ashwani Kumar expressed happiness over the third rank but said that a lot needs to be done to make it number one station. “Jammu station records the footfall of over 40,000 passengers every day and at least five new platforms are needed,” he said. “The Jammu railway station sees 23 long-distance trains every day, of which 13 originate from here,” said Kumar.

“The railways have given a

contract to a person who has employed 80 safai karamcharis and three supervisors,” he added. “As an A-1 category station, we are adding two lifts and as many escalators for the convenience of the passengers,” said Kumar.

Depots of oil and gas companies in close proximity to the railway station are considered a threat to passengers because in case of a minor fire, the depot can blow up the surrounding areas.