Pathetic condition of railway coaches that sound like iron carts running on the rugged trakes with a stench of filth around the toilets devoid of even the basic facilities has become an unwelcome situation both for passaengers and the railway authorities in Ranchi. While the Chotanagpur Passenger’s Association (CPA) alleges that the condition of coaches remains pitiable, senior officials at Ranchi Rail Division claim that steps were being taken to replace the older coaches with the new ones.
“Firstly, I would not agree that the railway coaches are in pathetic condition as I also travel in them from time to them, but yes, there are some older coaches in some trains which do not have all the facilities as compared to the newer ones….. We are doing our best to get them replaced as soon as possible but due to some constraints it has not yet been done so far,” said Divisional Railway Manager of Ranchi Rail Division, Deepak Kashyap.
According to Kashyap, there is a mismatch of demand and supply chain due to sluggish production of railway coaches. “The coaches are replaced as soon as the new supply comes to us and we have even replaced some of them as we did in case of Rajdhani Express where the older ones were replaced with the latest lHB coaches having extra comfort and facilities in them,” said Kashyap. One rake has already been replaced while another one will also be replaced as it comes to them, the DRM said.
Whereas to improve facilities for the passengers in trains starting from Ranchi, On Board House Keeping Service (OBHS) has been introduced recently at all important long distance trains through toll free helpline number – 138.
“For better maintenance of some of the important long distance trains starting from Ranchi, we have equipped them with OBHS, where cleaning staff will be available round the clock to take care of the cleanliness inside even on the moving train who could be accessible through troll free helpline number -- 138,” said the DRM.
Furthermore, Kashyap added that OBHS service has been started in 11 long distance trains including Hatia-lTTE Express, Hatia-Pune Express, Sampark Kranti Express, Hatia-Yashwantpur Express etc.
“A team of cleaning staff will present on board round the clock with all their equipments so that the train could be kept neat and clean throughout the journey,” Kashyap added.
Chotanagpur Passenger’s Association on the other hand, alleged that Jharkhand has been the most neglected state for Railways. “Even the trains like Hatia-Delhi Sampark Kranti Express and other trains having hi-tech and latest coaches in the beginning, were gradually replaced with the older coaches running in South India,” said Vice president of Chotanagpur Passengers Association Prem Kataruka.
Ranchi MP Ram Tahal Chaudhary, when raised the matter into the Parliament, was told by the Railway Minister said that he will look into the matter, said Kataruka. The Railway officials however, expressed their inability to comment on that, he said.
“Even after the installation of automatic washing line at Hatia Railway station, the condition of coaches still remains filthy due to non-maintenance,” he added. Kataruka further added despite raising the matter with the DRM several times, the condition of railway coaches remains the same.