Is the station at the nook of degradation?

BANGALORE: Yelahanka, located in the north of Bangalore, is envisaged as a place where the blue uniform of the Air Force stands tall and the wind that blows leaves you spellbound. It is also home to the largest milk dairy in the state of Karnataka. Despite the long list of accomplishments that it has in its name from being a satellite town to being one of the fastest growing localities of Bangalore, the Yelahanka Railway Station chooses to be otherwise. The prominence of the same seems to be lost as it fails to even pass basic levels of necessities that the passengers have come to expect from it.Clean platformsOne of the only constructive points about the railway station is that the platforms are clean and well maintained. In most areas, they are garbage free and around the clock staff strive to keep the station clean.No place to hide headsBangalore has been ‘blessed’ with frequent rains recently. The reason why it worries the passengers of Yelahanka Railway Station is that most platforms do not provide shelter to the passengers and more importantly, their luggage. Be it rain or sun, the passengers are forced to bear the extreme conditions mainly if they have a long wait for their connecting train. People are forced to wander in search of the other platforms that have been equipped with proper shelter in order to spare themselves from the brunt of the sun and the rain.What’s locked, stays lockedAdding to the plight, the entire station is equipped with only one toilet for the ladies and men alike, that has been locked since three months. The walls of these toilets have been painted with the stains of beetel leaves. Another eye-catching aspect of this station is the dirty sinks that were originally instated with the purpose to quench the thirst of the thirsty. The condition of these sinks are so deplorable, that any one would refrain themselves from drinking water from these taps. All the sinks are dirty and act as a breeding ground for algae and moss. Sinks with no taps are used as bins to throw garbage. Very few of the taps provide passengers with water.Survival issuesThe station doesn’t seem to be fulfilling the basic needs of food and water as there are very less number of eateries and food stalls available. To top it all, the shops that are present too have stock of very few edibles for the passengers to satisfy their hunger. A ray of hopeProving the point that a coin always has two sides, the station has some points that it can pride itself upon. Some noticeable features of this station are the dustbins that have been placed at equidistant locations. The station is also providing people with the digital display system that provides passengers with information and schedule about the number of train arrivals, timings and the routes followed by trains.Need an over bridge?Despite the station having only two platforms, questions have been raised about the need of an over bridge as crossing the tracks by people to make it through from one platform to another is a common sight. Another concern with the tracks is the absence of an alarm system as there are no voice alarms informing you about the arrivals. The peril due to the same seems to be forgotten by the authorities.   People’s voice“The condition of the platforms is not up to the mark. The sinks and toilets are very untidy. In fact, people hardly get a glimpse of the toilets here,” said Hariprasad, a frequent commuter. Said Nagendrappa, a passenger, “I am visiting this station for the first time and I am quite happy with the way it works.”