Taking cognisance of a complaint filed by rights activist and Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report (ATR) from Railway Board Chairman over unavailability of basic facilities at the Angul model railway station thereby violating human rights of passengers.
On April 27 this year hundreds of passengers, who were rescued from Ajmer-Puri express as two of its bogies derailed near derailed between Boinda and Jarapada stations in Angul-Sambalpur railway section, had faced undue difficulties at the Angul model railway station just by waiting in open platform without any food and water, the petitioner alleged.
“At least 36 express trains and 15 goods trains are regularly running in the Angul station while the station incomes Rs 5 crore revenue annually. There are no basic facilities like drinking water and waiting sheds at the Angul model station thereby violating human rights of passengers,” said the petitioner.The petitioner urged the Commission to direct the concerned authorities to ensure basic minimum facilities at the station.