A PERILOUS JOURNEY AT THIS STATION WITHOUT BASIC AMENITIES

A PERILOUS JOURNEY AT THIS STATION WITHOUT BASIC AMENITIES

1-APRIL-ENG 13

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------This British-era station is currently struggling to provide even basic amenities—a situation that passengers are being forced to endure.

"I am Koilwar Station... I was built by the British government to fulfill a specific need. Crossing the Son River posed a challenge for the British; to resolve this and facilitate easier transit, Koilwar Station and the Koilwar Bridge were constructed around 1862. The bridge and I share the exact same age."

While the Koilwar Bridge eventually aged and was replaced by a new six-lane bridge, my condition continues to worsen day by day. No attention is being paid to my maintenance, causing immense difficulties for the passengers who arrive here.

Although the Danapur Railway Division encompasses numerous stations, my plight is arguably the worst of them all. Many of my fellow stations have undergone beautification under the 'Amrit Bharat Station Scheme,' yet I failed to secure a spot on that list. Even today, I continue to grapple with a severe lack of basic amenities. Every day, between 3,000 and 4,000 passengers commence their journeys from here. I generate a monthly revenue of ₹8–10 lakhs for the government, yet no effort is being made to look after my facilities.

There are absolutely no arrangements for drinking water on either of my two platforms. The water taps installed at various spots lie broken and defunct, forcing passengers to wander around in search of potable water. The most critical issue, however, is the absence of a foot overbridge. To move from one platform to the other, passengers are compelled to put their lives at risk. They are left with no choice but to cross the railway tracks—a desperate act that has frequently resulted in accidents, the sight of which I find unbearable.

The passenger shelter has been in a dilapidated state for the past four months, yet it remains unrepaired to this day. Consequently, passengers are forced to sit wherever they can find a spot while waiting for their trains. Furthermore, while there is one toilet each on my 'Up' and 'Down' platforms, neither of them has a door. No cleaning or maintenance is carried out either, making my very existence a misery. People do not wish to visit me. Out of sheer necessity, they are forced to relieve themselves—both defecate and urinate—out in the open, scattered across the premises.

While there is, technically, a waiting room—a mere single-sheeted structure—on each of my two platforms, they exist in name only. On the southern side, the area beneath the seating is gradually hollowing out, raising fears that the entire structure could collapse at any moment. The passenger shelters located near the ticket booking office have fallen into disrepair. Yet, railway officials remain oblivious to this situation.

I am a railway station in Bihar situated amidst numerous commercial establishments and hospitals. I also host the region's sole mental health facility, where patients from various districts across Bihar come to seek treatment for their mental illnesses. The headquarters of the Rapid Action Force is also located in my vicinity. Furthermore, I am close to Parev village—renowned for its brassware—and the Gidha Industrial Area. Despite being surrounded by such a wealth of resources and facilities, no one seems to notice my own deficiencies.

Deepak Gupta, a daily commuter, asserts that the station's status as a 'Flag Station' must be revoked immediately. This is a pivotal station that serves as a vital link connecting three districts: Bhojpur, Patna, and Chapra. Passengers bound for Varanasi also board their trains from this very location.

"The railways generate substantial revenue from this station—approximately one crore rupees annually—yet, in terms of amenities, absolutely nothing is being provided. As for train services, only local 'Passenger' and 'MEMU' trains halt here." — Deepak Gupta, Passenger

I am a station dating back to the British colonial era; yet, shockingly, no one seems aware of the dire state I am currently in. Even the officials responsible for the upkeep of my fellow stations fail to acknowledge my existence. Whenever complaints regarding my condition reach them, I receive nothing but empty assurances; meanwhile, my plight remains unchanged. I wonder how much longer I am expected to survive on the strength of mere promises.

"The matter has been taken cognizance of." "We will have an assessment conducted to determine what is required at the station versus what is currently available. The necessary improvements will be carried out." — Abhinav Kumar, Senior DCM, Danapur