What’s inside:
This article discusses the difficulties faced by workers at Surat’s Udhna railway station during festival travel and the lack of railway facilities provided for their journey home.
In the last two weeks, many workers have been trying to go home from Surat’s Udhna railway station for Diwali, Chhath Puja, and the Bihar Assembly elections. They faced a lot of trouble while waiting for trains.
Thousands of workers arrived daily at the station but found no basic facilities. Many had to sit on the ground under the sun, waiting for ten to twenty hours for their trains without any water or toilets nearby.
After around 150,000 passengers had already left Surat, the railway authorities finally put up large tents outside the station, but these remained unused. Even Congress leaders pointed out that no passengers were seen in these tents.
Congress leader Aslam has criticized the railway department for being indifferent to workers. He said the railway only cares about running premium trains like Vande Bharat and Tejas but ignores the needs of millions of workers.
He has called for strict action against railway officials who did not address the workers’ issues. Congress has submitted a petition for better arrangements, but many workers continue to suffer due to the railway’s negligence.
Summary:
- Workers faced severe difficulties at Udhna station during festival travel.
- No basic facilities were provided for long hours of waiting.
- Large tents were set up after many had left, but remained unused.
- Criticism arose against railway officials for neglecting worker needs.
- Calls for action against indifferent officials have been made by Congress.