Amenities run dry for passengers on PF No 10

Vijayawada: Train passengers are facing many hardships due to lack of basic amenities on Platform No 10 located on the west-end of Vijayawada Railway station. Thousands of passengers' board and alight on platform 10 every day. But the platform has no seating facility for passengers causing a lot of inconvenience to them. Though the drinking water facility was arranged at some places, there is no proper water supply on the platform forcing the passengers to purchase drinking water bottles from vendors.

Moreover, the elevator on the platform 10 is not working properly. Consequently, the train passengers are not able to avail the elevator facility provided by the railways. The railways in the last 100 years developed only east side of station neglecting the west side. The railways have spent hundreds of crores of rupees for development of east side for construction of terminal building, providing amenities like rest room, restaurants, waiting halls, cloak rooms, parking facilities etc.

Unfortunately, the west side located in the Old City has been grossly neglected by successive railway authorities. Nearly two years passed since the railways commenced services on platform no 10. But the passengers have no basic amenities. Only one small waiting room was constructed for the convenience of passengers.

Sadly, the platform 10 was not fully covered with roof forcing the passengers to stand under hot sun. During rainy season, the passengers have no option but to wait in rain till the arrival of train. Due to lack of chairs and benches, thousands of passengers are forced to stand on platform.

Many traders and employees living in old city board the train by entering from west end of railway station.

R Suresh, a pharmaceutical company manager and train passenger, said the railways must develop west side of the station on par with the east side for the convenience of passengers. Vijayawada Railway Divisional Manager R Dhananjayulu said the railways have decided to develop platform 10 on par with other platforms. He said the platform will be developed in a phased manner and roof cover will be arranged besides providing seating facility for the convenience of passengers.