RailEnquiry

Jammu:
With tourist season at its peak, unbearable stench and unhygienic conditions at Jammu railway station that witnesses around 50,000 passengers every day, makes life miserable for tourists and visitors.Railway tracks and three platforms reflect a dismal picture of poor maintenance and upkeep by the Railway authorities.Garbage strewn across platforms is a common sight for the visitors.“It is a common sight. We brave the stench and unhygienic conditions every day,” said Sushil Kumar, a government employee, who shuttles in the DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) between Jammu and Udhampur for his job every day.

“No one seems to be bothered about unhygienic conditions here,” said Swati Sharma, a government teacher, who has to shuttle every day in the DMU for her job.

"The ticket per passenger on DMU from Jammu to Udhampur costs Rs 15. A video coach charges Rs 50 per passenger from Jammu to Udhampur. The ticket cost for a DMU makes us compromise on hygiene and cleanliness," she reasoned.

Sharma said that it being one of the busiest stations, the Railways authorities should not only come up with basic facilities but also make it attractive.

It may be stated here that the majority of Vaishno Devi pilgrims come via train.

The station has also become a haven for rag-pickers and urchins.

“Leave aside cleanliness, no one on the local train or even on the platform demands tickets from the daily commuters,” said Rakesh Mahajan, who travels to Manwal every day.

He said that in the past 30 years, not much has changed at the Jammu railway station.

“Parking lot for cars, mini buses and kiosks within its vicinity continue to give it a shabby look. The station had been attacked by armed militants in January 2004 when four security personnel and 14 others were injured,” he said.

A Railway official, who declined to be named, attributed the unhygienic conditions to huge arrivals and departures of passengers.

“Despite our best efforts, it becomes difficult to maintain hygiene round the clock vis-a-vis huge arrivals and departure of passengers every day,” he reasoned.