A long journey by train offers a unique opportunity to meet travellers from different states of the country. Tourists, many a time, sleep late in the night to watch the passing towns and villages along the way.
“They peep out of the window from the lower berth or sometimes get down from the top berths to know the names of the passing stations. Alas, they can only see the poorly lit station building and the platforms but not the name of the station, especially at smaller stations. This is because the few name boards, put up along the platforms and bigger ones on either side of the platform are not illuminated,” says Ch. Srinivasa Rao, a frequent traveller, staying at Madhuranagar in the city.
“I had seen tourists from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, disappointed after trying hard to catch a glimpse of the name boards at the small stations in Andhra Pradesh. One can understand their curiosity in knowing the names of the places they were passing through,” Mr. Srinivasa Rao adds.
Passengers going to board trains on Platform no. 4 side of Duvvada Railway Station as also those going to bid adieu or receive their near and dear ones are facing problems due to non-availability of a toilet on PF-4.
“The PF-4 entry was renovated and a new building was constructed with a booking office a few years ago. Though a toilet has been provided in the hall, it is always kept locked and it is not accessible for the public,” says Duvvada Railway User’s Association secretary K. Eswar.
MP K. Haribabu and DRUCC Member Buddha Lakshminarayana, who had inspected the station following public complaints, had expressed surprise over the lack of toilets on PF-4 side in the past. The issue was brought to the notice of the authorities and the toilet was opened to the public but was closed again.
When the arrival of trains is delayed, passengers, especially senior citizens and women, are having problems. The toilet for passengers should be accessible from outside for the convenience of visitors, auto drivers, RTC drivers and conductors and vendors. In the absence of a toilet, passengers are forced to go to PF-1 taking the foot-over-bridge and walking a long way. Mr. Eswar said booking counter and EVTMs on PF-4 were also not working.
B. Madhu Gopal
