Title - Rat menace at railway station

Ludhiana:
It may sound surprising but the fact is that the Ludhiana railway station, one of the most revenue generating railway stations of North India, is finding itself helpless in controlling pests on the station premises and rail tracks.The population of rats and cockroaches has been increasing rapidly at the station. The railway authorities used to hire a private firm to control the pest at the railway station. But, for past year and a half the officials have failed to arrange any of the pest management company.It often happens when rats and cockroaches entered the trains and passengers created drama with their surprise entry. Even the offices of the railway authorities at the railway station are not safe. Moreover, rats damage the luggage of passengers.Number of rats is quite less at platform no. 1, 2 and 3 as the cleaners clean the tracks properly. Besides these tracks, all other tracks are filthy and haven for the rats.“Rats are common at railway stations across the country. The number of rats is quite more at the Ludhiana Railway Station. I don't know the reason behind their large population. But, the railway authorities should control the rats and other pests as this can cause various diseases and health hazards to the visitors,” a passengersaid.Ravinder Sharma, station superintendent, said, “It is true that population of rats has been increasing. Even my office is not safe from them. We are trying to manage the things individually and soon tenders for hiring a pest management company will be invited again.”