Unavailability of water at Railway station irks passengers

Unavailability of drinking water at Lahore Railway Station riled passengers as they were compelled to buy costly bottled water.

Most of the water taps are missing or broken at almost all platforms of the station and the situation causes ample problems especially for minor children, women and elderly people.

Passengers told media here on Wednesday the railway station administration had been informed about the unavailability of water but it had not taken any action against for the last many days but no action has been taken in this regard so far while mercury level was getting raised in the provincial capital.It was observed that canteens and kiosks were charging exorbitant prices for the bottled drinking water.

"Bottled water worth Rs 30 is being sold for Rs 50 by vendors at plat form number 2, 3, 4, 5, 3A, 8 and 9", passengers said. Some regular commuters alleged that vendors bribe the railway officials for creating artificial water shortage so that people would have to buy costly water bottles.Asad, Ashfaq, Tariq, Usman and some other daily commuters told this scribe that drinking water had become scarce at plat form number 3, 3A, 8 and 9. Passenger said that single water dispenser was functioning at platform number 2 while others were un-operational at all platforms. Tariq, Shahid and Fraz alleged the railway authorities did not try to facilitate the passengers, adding that they did not even have time to examine the facilities.

The concerned Railway official, on contacting, rejected the allegations of any misconduct or bribe and said that no water tap were missing at any platform, however, he admitted that only three water dispensers were not on sight due to some echnical faults. He said that missing water dispensers would be re-installed in a few days after repairing.