Title - Heal our platforms - Pune

Mirror survey of all six platforms at Pune Railway Station found them wanting in cleanliness, repairs and security
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Every day, around 150 trains halt at Pune Railway Station and over three lakh

passengers wait or scramble to get on or off them.

With the ongoing summer holidays adding to this figure, we walked through all six platforms and surveyed the maintenance and facilities on offer.

While some platforms resembled an obstacle course for commuters with construction material, others were dirty and had dangerous spots that could cause accidents. Central Railways Public Relations Officer Y K Singh responds. 

What’s wrong 

•   There are two entrances to this platform. There used to be two LED TVs flashing the train timetable at the entrance, one of which was missing on Sunday

•   The luggage scanner at this gate is in working condition, but most times it is closed for maintenance

•   Peak rush hours at the railway station are from 4pm to 10 pm and this is when the platform is choked with passengers. Currently, there are two overbridges at the station and a third one has been sanctioned. Work is slated to begin in the next few months

•   The restroom for all classes are at this platform, however there are only three mobile charging points. There is always a rush there and more such charging points would be welcome OfficialSpeak

“Work on the new foot overbridge will start next month. After it is completed there will be no more congestion. The TV sets on the platforms have been taken out for repairs by the electric department. It is very difficult to rob the TVs from such a height.”

►►►   The situation at Pune station has improved. However, the security system should be operational all the time and not only during peak season. The crowd here has increased and the overbridge is too narrow and should  be widened

-   Bhagwan Pamnani (72) from Wanowrie What’s wrong

•   This is the largest platform in terms of area. With construction work underway, the floor has been dug up at two or three spots and there is debris and construction material

•   Towards the Solapur gate, new cement benches are being built since last week. Bricks and other material are lying on the platform and no one is around, so passengers sit on the bricks and tiles

•   Wash basins and drinking water points are damaged and leak. Water flows onto the platform

•   There are many spots here where the edge of the platform has broken and this can be dangerous while  passengers are boarding a train as they can slip and fall onto the tracks OfficialSpeak

“Construction work is going on here, but it will conclude in the next couple of days. We are in the process of repairing basins and leaking taps. The chipped platform edges will be repaired soon.”

►►►   The platforms have rubble everywhere. Drinking water available is not clean as the dispensers themselves are filthy. They should install aquaguards to provide commuters with clean water  ?

-   Mukesh T (26) from Kerala What’s wrong

•   The main problem of this platform is getting to it. While you walk off the overbridge the gradient has become extremely slippery as the concrete surface has worn out and passengers take a tumble here every day.

Platform numbers 2 and 3 have anti-skid tiles on the gradient leading from the overbridge to the platform, these should be done on this platform as well.

•   There is only one water cooler on the platform and passengers rush here to fill up cold water, creating congestion. If the number of water coolers are increased, it will be convenient for commuters and crowding will be reduced. OfficialSpeak

“Passengers do not slip often here. We dent the slippery portion of the walkway to provide enough friction on the gradient. We think the number of water coolers are sufficient, as of now we have no plans to install new ones.”

►►►   The gradient has become very slippery of late, it was not so earlier. I myself saw 4-5 people slip and fall here today. Authorities must tile the gradient

-   Uday Pimpalgaonkar (40) from Aundh What’s wrong

•   This is the last platform and all local trains start and pass here. There is not too much attention given to security and cleanliness. The platform is littered with dirt.

•   Many beggars have made platform no 6 their home. They sleep on the platform and calmly carry out daily activities here, making it difficult for passengers to walk with their luggage. OfficialSpeak

“We are using a jet cleaning system and our workers try to ensure that they keep the platforms as clean as possible.” D S Rajput, Police Inspector, RPF, said,“We conduct daily rounds where we ask beggars and ticketless people to leave the premises.

Due to overcrowding this season, we have a special force of 10 constables and an inspector that forces beggars off the platform. However, they come back at night. We will be more vigilant on this platform.”

►►►   Beggars here occupy seats and ask passengers for money to vacate them. Authorities have taken action against them, but they come back. A permanent solution is needed

-  Vijay Partakke, (57) from Thergaon