The statement made by none other than Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw himself that the railway system in J&K is being developed in line with global standards has rekindled hopes among many commuters who are eagerly waiting to travel to Kashmir by the upcoming train services in the region. Although the aforesaid statement has been made with regard to justify the decision of asking all the Kashmir bound travelers to change their trains at Katra railway station and board the exclusive ones which are supposed to be stationed on the platform next to the one where the incoming and the outgoing trains from Katra towards Delhi will be docked.
The Railway Minister has cited that like many countries in the world including Switzerland, the trains in Valley will be different from the ones running beyond Katra as the trains for the Valley will be having certain features to cope up with harsh climate and other factors, which are not common in the other parts of the country.
The Railways has a point in this whole gamut but what is also important is the fact that the Railways Minister should also ensure that in the process of redevelopment of Jammu Railway Station, an important destination in Delhi-Srinagar stretch, accessibility for aged, ailing and alone passengers accompanying heavy luggage is a big issue because at present the scenario here is pathetic with security staff further deteriorating the situation by not allowing the vehicles to pick and drop the passengers near the main entrance.
The place kept for the parking of vehicles lacks basic standard with no one being able to use wheels of their baggage due to roughness of floor besides scores of tedious stairs further make things difficult for those who are infirm or not physically strong enough to lift the luggage they have brought along. The woes of people simply don’t end here because there are many coolies waiting at the parking space only to fleece the dejected commuters as the rates they quote are even more than what NASA and ISRO quotes to countries wanting to send their satellites into space.
The need of the hour is that the new Railway Station at Jammu should have a secure area where vehicles be allowed to pick and drop passengers akin to various airports in the country including Jammu, and the platforms which are reportedly being increased from three to seven should be made accessible not only for physically challenged but for all as present set up is archaic with people finding it hard to climb the stairs before reaching the place where trains come and go. This is a very important thing and without accomplishing this, there is no fun in redeveloping the railway station.
The Railways should make it a point to make all the railway stations on the similar lines by installing adequate numbers of ramps, elevators, or designated accessible spaces for passengers with mobility challenges.
