Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: Citizens’ Forum Jammu has appealed Suresh Prabhakar Prabu, the Minister for Railways, to fulfill various facilities discussed and agreed upon by the Railway authorities with the Forum members in a meeting fixed by High Court of Jammu in 2011 in a PIL case.
The Railway authorities after formulating the minutes of the meeting, held on November 24, 2011 in a PIL case, decided that 22 genuine requirements of Railway passengers will be completed by 2013 and a written assurance in this regard was also given to the HC, the Citizens Forum said in a statement.
The list of facilities as agreed in the meeting and submitted in the court, included a check on black mailing of passengers by parking contractor; removal of barriers put by Security personnel outside Railway Station; provision of escalators, wheeled trolleys and wheel chairs; a project for conversion of Railway Station into a part of world Class Station; extra entry and exit points at the rear side of Railway Station; provision of two additional platforms at Jammu Tawi Railway Station; no parking for SRTC and JKTDC buses inside the Railway Station; check on over charging by Coolies and Porters; provision of Pre-paid Taxies and Auto Rickshaws; more X-Ray Machines/ Scanners; provision of electronic display boards; waiting shelters for 2000 passengers; wash rooms and toilets at every platform ; cleanliness of the Station ; automatic platform ticket vending machines; more responsive train enquiry system ; A class catering facilities at Platforms; opening of modern fast food joint; provision of new bogies besides removal and shifting of petroleum depots from rear side of railway station to avoid a big catastrophe in case of a mishap.
Out of the 22 facilities, only three items have been complied while rest all are gathering dust in files, the Forum alleged and requested the Railway Minister to arrange a similar meeting of the Railway authorities with the Forum to exactly know the position of work done for completing these above facilities. The Forum also threatened that failing compliance of HC orders, it will be forced to go back to the High Court for contempt.
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