PAC slams Railways over poor passenger amenities

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament has criticised the Railways for its failure to provide basic amenities to passengers, observing that there was “culpable negligence” in ensuring essential facilities at railway stations. An audit of passenger amenities at 177 railway stations revealed that only 92 (52%) had even the minimum required facilities.

During the two-day PAC meeting that concluded here on Wednesday, committee chairperson K.C. Venugopal, MP, criticised the Railways for failing to treat Keralam fairly despite the State being among the highest contributors to its revenue. The committee also flagged the delay in implementing corrective measures after E. coli bacteria were detected in drinking water at the Palakkad railway station, despite earlier directives to address the issue.

The audit revealed serious deficiencies in basic amenities. Bio-toilets and urinals were inadequate at 96% of the stations surveyed. Even major stations such as Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town, Thrissur and Kollam Junction lacked adequate waiting halls, shelters and toilet facilities. The committee also pointed out that ₹11,478 crore allocated under the passenger amenities grant remained unspent over five years. Of this, nearly ₹6,000 crore was unutilised in 2023-24 alone, said Mr. Venugopal.

Stray dog issue

The PAC directed the Railways to take effective measures to address the problem of stray dogs at the railway stations and ensure access to basic facilities. It sought a report on the measures taken within three months. The General Manager of Southern Railway assured the committee that the process would be expedited and drinking water facilities ensured at all stations within the stipulated period.

The committee also recommended providing maximum possible facilities for pilgrims at major railway stations during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season. Mr. Venugopal called for additional trains to meet the expected rush. The meeting also took up the delay in handing over details of land required for the Alappuzha track-doubling project to the Revenue department. Although the tendering process has already begun, the Railways is yet to provide the necessary land details. The committee directed the authorities to expedite the process.

Mr. Venugopal had earlier sought the development of platforms 4 and 5 at the Alappuzha railway station as island platforms as part of the track-doubling project. Railway officials informed that the proposal would be considered favourably, raising the possibility of the two platforms being developed alongside the doubling works.