BANGALORE: A small lane paves its way towards the Yeshwantpur Railway Station. This gully is alive in every sense of the word with heaps of colours, plantain leafs, vegetables and fruits fresh from the market. Add to it the aromas that rise from the tiny snack and coffee outlets and the scene looks like its been picked off a rural backdrop.
The roads acts as a prelude to the railway station. With clean platforms, mediocre digital display, a satisfactory foot overbridge and maintenance done on a regular basis, the station is taking tiny but substantial steps towards a bright future.
Spotless
The station is said to be among the three most important stations in the city including City Railway Station and Cantonment Railway Station. Standing up to its status, the station has clean platforms with maintenance officials present round the clock. While the entrance of the station is littered with construction material and huge stone slabs, the inside is seen to be very hygienic. Dustbins have been installed at equidistant points. Several sign boards asking people not to throw garbage and keep the area clean are also very informative.
Display system inconsistent
The display system throughout the station works in a few places and does not in others. LCD’s installed in the overbridges display the arrival and departure of trains at regular intervals. The problem lies with the ones present at the exit board and on the platforms. Passengers say that it has not been in a working condition and hence say that the process of even instating them is a loss.
Survival issues
While drinking water taps have been provided at a few areas, the frequency of finding one is quite less. The presence of stray dogs throughout the expanse of the station is also a major concern voiced the passengers. Seating can also be worked upon as several people are forced to sit down on the floor due to
lack of seats.
The affirmatives
The station has a railway protection force that is very active. Officials are always ready to help. The facilitation centre works well with neat queues being formed along with the advance ticket booking centre. Shops do not charge more than Market Retail Force (MRP). The pay and use toilet stays open throughout the day and the charges for the same are only Re 1.
People without a ticket are not allowed within the station thereby decreasing the chances of robbery and miscreants misbehaving.
Go green
Despite the steel structures from the metro work surrounding every side of the station, one is surprised to see that there is still some greenery. With trees dating back to years and plants having been planted in a few years, it is nice to have a little green canopy here and there in the middle of all the concrete jungle.
Something for everyone
The differently-abled have been provided with ramps at both the ground level and at the overbridge. Although it is disheartening to see in the direction of the board that points towards a spot where there should be wheelchairs, as, there are no wheelchairs present there. Passenger cart that can transport elderly citizens and disabled from one platform to another have also been provided.
Time and tide wait for no man
A scene often associated with railway stations is a person missing his/her bus and ‘X’ sign moving further and further away. But the clocks in the station do not seem to have understood the importance of time as three clocks are running almost an hour slow. While this a situation that is quite appalling, passengers informed that they had stopped working only a day ago.
People’s speak
Kamraj, a passenger, said, “It is a hygienic station with all basic facilities provided. The station master is approachable and everything is available to our disposal. The other railway stations could learn from this one.” Shamala, a visitor, added that the stray dogs caused fear in their hearts and improvements in the display could be made.
Authorities’ speak
The station master of the station was unavailable for comments. Lakshminarayan, from the Railway Security Force (RSF), said, “I will make sure that the clocks begin to work. The seating arrangement too will be worked upon.”