Delhi stations are in a miserable state, says Parl audit watchdog
NEW DELHI: Stinking toilets, filthy platforms, crumbling infrastructure — these may be routine ordeal for millions of railway passengers here but on Monday, Parliament’s audit watchdog also experienced the same as it went to review the condition of the New Delhi and Delhi railway stations.
“Sanitation, especially in the Delhi station, was in a miserable state. We could not enter public toilets. They stank so much. Several passengers also had same complaints,” Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman KV Thomas said.
For four hours, 10 members of the panel, including BJP’s Nishikant Dubey and SP’s Naresh Agarwal, toured the two stations. Senior rail officials were also present and according to panel members, “they had tried to give some face-lift to the stations before our visit”.
This is the first time when a Public Accounts Committee tried to take a first-hand account of the ground situation at major rail stations. Thomas said the panel had decided to conduct such surveys at other stations, starting with Mumbai’s Churchgate and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
The PAC’s tour also comes amid the present railway regime’s emphasis on improving passenger amenities and the cleanliness drive under Swachh Bharat campaign.
“We will prepare a report and give it to the ministry on what all it needs to do to maintain hygiene and improve infrastructure,” said Thomas.