THE story and image of Kamalapur Railway Station before Eid-vacation has remained the same for the last several years, illustrating the incongruity of the railway sector and the reluctance of the government to reduce the homebound people’s plight as they try to get advance train tickets. As the major highways are in bad shape with potholes and massive tailbacks that clogs the roads in the weekend we apprehend that the situation would worsen during the Eid rush, resulting in an increased preference for rail communications. In our observation, people’s sufferings have no appeal to the government as they have to remain accountable to no one.
Yesterday was the last day for advance train ticket sales. Media reported the usual stories of long queues of passengers for collecting advance train tickets. But tickets were sold-out or in the hands of black marketers despite several instructions of the Minister of Railways. Many accused that the ticket counters virtually refused to sell the tickets for air-conditioned coaches to those in the queue–it might be reserved for VIPs. The mismanagement and corruption were allegedly high when advance train tickets were being sold, causing huge sufferings to home-goers.
We have been repeatedly promised by the government that when Eid approaches tickets would be sold smoothly, modern technology to ease ticket reservation would be introduced, steps for reducing the plight of home-goers would be taken, drives against ticket black-marketing would be carried out, amongst others, but nothing has been done and we dare not hope for change as irregularities have already gobbled up the railway, the only inexpensive means of making a comfortable long distance journey The government has so far stressed modernisation of the railways for environment-friendly communication but the speed and importance given to it are are far below the requirement. We would ask the authority to be more people-centric, make road communications smooth and ease mismanagement in railway ticketing system. It is a shame for us that people throng hours after hours to get a train ticket when we boost our economic advancement, though the situation is paradoxical.
The government has so far stressed modernisation of the railways for environment-friendly communication but the speed and importance given to it are far below the requirement. We would ask the authority to be more people-centric, make road communications smooth and ease mismanagement in railway ticketing system. It is a shame for us that people throng hours after hours to get a train ticket when we boost our economic advancement, though the situation is paradoxical.
