Indian Railways has intensified surveillance and launched surprise inspections of station elevators and escalators following a Comptroller and Auditor General of India report. The audit released on March 7 2025 revealed that porters at Ahmedabad station deliberately disabled an operational escalator on platform number two at 6:43 AM to coerce passengers into hiring their services ahead of the 6:45 AM arrival of the Duronto Express train number 12298. In response to these findings and additional passenger complaints filed via the Rail Madad app railway authorities have heightened monitoring across various stations. Recent investigative efforts have resulted in 13 porters being apprehended for overcharging passengers. Similar incidents of porters manipulating emergency buttons to halt escalators have been documented at Ghaziabad Railway Station leading to intervention by the Railway Protection Force which is currently organizing meetings with porter unions to address the behavior.
Enhanced Monitoring and Infrastructure Measures
Rani Kamlapati Station Manager Mohit Sumaiya confirmed that escalator operations are now centrally controlled and monitored to prevent unauthorized interference. These corrective measures align with broader efforts under the Sugamya Bharat Mission which mandates the installation of accessible infrastructure for senior citizens and Divyangjan as per 2019 Railway Board policy.
Wider Audit Findings and Political Scrutiny
The regulatory scrutiny follows a wider CAG audit reported between August 14 and 18 2026 which found that 89 percent of 512 audited non-suburban railway stations lacked essential amenities such as sanitation seating and drinking water. On August 18 2026 the Congress party publicly criticized the central government regarding these deficiencies calling for greater accountability from the Railway Minister regarding passenger services. Railway officials reiterated on August 20 2026 that increased vigilance remains a priority to ensure passenger safety and convenience.