Railways officials have attributed temporary disruptions to passenger amenities at the newly refurbished Jalandhar Cantt railway station to post-inauguration restoration work. The station was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that following the inauguration ceremony on Friday, which saw an attendance of approximately 5,000 people, temporary infrastructure including digisets, LED screens, and extra seating had been installed. These arrangements necessitated the temporary closure of escalators and lifts to prevent any potential damage.
Sanjeev Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager of the Ferozepur division, explained that the event management agency was responsible for the installation of temporary facilities. He stated that the escalators and lifts were deliberately kept non-operational during the period these arrangements were in place to safeguard the equipment.
The cleaning and restoration process commenced immediately after the conclusion of the inaugural event on Friday evening. Mr. Kumar indicated that railway officials conducted a visit on Saturday evening, by which time most of the facilities had been brought back online. Further inspections and completion of any remaining restoration tasks were scheduled for Sunday by dedicated teams.
Regarding the AC waiting hall on the ground floor, which remained closed for passenger use, Mr. Kumar clarified that it had been temporarily utilized by police personnel providing security during the Prime Minister’s visit. The hall was kept shut to allow for the restoration of its attached washrooms before it could be reopened to the public.
The Divisional Railway Manager further elaborated on the operational responsibility for passenger amenities. He noted that while the contractor remains accountable for the lifts, escalators, and other newly installed equipment during the defect liability period, the day-to-day management and operation of these facilities fall under the purview of the Railways.
Mr. Kumar also highlighted that the redeveloped Jalandhar Cantt station now boasts a significantly improved set of passenger amenities compared to its previous state. He acknowledged that additional manpower would be deployed in due course to ensure the effective management of these enhanced facilities.
The railway administration’s clarification came a day after passengers voiced concerns about the non-availability of several amenities, including waiting halls and escalators, despite the station’s recent inauguration as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The scheme aims to modernize railway stations across the country, enhancing passenger experience and infrastructure.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
