Additional facilities needed on railway platforms

It is good news for the railway passengers that one of the biggest railway stations in South India, Vijayawada, the biggest in the present state with the second highest turnover in the SCR will 'get a makeover with an expense of Rs. 40 crore.' (THI, Dec., 21,2018). As per the official statement, many additional facilities will be showered on the travelling public. They are all welcome. 

Apart from them there are few more facilitates required by the passengers not only in Vijayawada, but in almost all other, major and minor stations too. Many essential facilities like Newspaper, Toilets and Waiting rooms and Cafeteria, serving hot and fresh food and beverages are invariably available only in the first platform. Along with morning coffee/tea, newspaper is an inseparable companion. The long- distance trains stop only for few minutes and the time is not sufficient to cross over and get the newspapers. 

Food and beverages are sold in all the platforms at the time of arrival and departure of the trains. Very often they are cold and stale. Either paper stalls or vending by boys in all the platforms must be arranged. Toilets and waiting rooms are imminent needs. Usually the escalators are provided only to climb. Aged and the infirm, with luggage cannot get down easily. So two-way escalators must be made available in all the major stations.

Less luggage, more comfort has been really working.  Even the big suit cases are railed or drawn with wheels. Hence the need for the creed of coolies is declining. Hence the tribe is vanishing. Those accompanying the physically disabled are not versed with pushing the Wheel chairs. Such passengers face an unpleasant time. Railways must have at least a couple of coolies on their roles to help the needy; may be on payment and with prior information. 

Inquiry telephones are seldom lifted. All the railway passengers are not connected with Internet and the Internet information warns: 'There may be variation in the actual running status.'  “The old order changeth yielding place to new" said Lord Tennyson. But when the old old ones  are still essential and not properly substituted, shall not be done away with. 

 - K C Kalkura, Kurnool