BANGALORE: In between a busy main road and a slum, Krishnarajapuram (KR Puram) railway station can be called relatively clean. This is a busy station and witnesses over 80 thousand people and signals over 70 train daily. Many trains make a pitstop here, most of them being express trains. While the station has seen an upliftment over the years, there are problems associated with it.City Express had published a reported on June 25, titled ‘KR Puram: A shelterless station’. The report highlighted problems faced by passengers at the station. Cleanliness was a major problem associated with it. The situation seems to have changed reasonably now, with the placement of adequate dustbins. However, littering is still a menace. An official from the station on the condition of anonymity said, “We have provided many dustbins and spit bowls, yet passengers spit almost everywhere. They must be taught to respect public property.” He also added that very often people discard their leftover food at the platforms which ultimately attracts stray dogs. “Instead of using the washrooms they (passengers) wash and clean-up after their meals on the platforms itself,” he mentioned. Sign boards and posters provide the passenger with the required information. One of the best safety measures taken up by the station authorities is the installation of a fence between the platforms to discourage people from crossing the tracks. However, the fencing that has been provided does not extend till the complete length of the station. In a bid to avoid trespassing the authorities have also locked the back gate. “Even though we have provided the passengers with footoverbridges, many still cross the tracks, risking their own safety. To avoid the hazardous situation we have locked the back entrance of the station and the only way to the exit is by making use of the foot bridge,” he said. He also mentioned that the officials are facing a problem controlling the students from the nearby school who come and play on the platforms after school hours.Speaking of the amenities provided, the station has a number of water taps, but the water supply is only on a timely basis. According to the station master, the reason for this is that many locals from the near by slum utilise the water supply for their private use. “In order to curb the menace, we have regulated the water according to the train timings,” informed the station manager. Another problem that the station is struggling to deal with is the lack of shelter throughout the platform’s length. “I take my train from here to Kochi every month. My coach stops at the far end of the station. There is no shelter here and the benches provided are also not adequate. To make matters worse, in many areas the ground surface level of the platforms is not even and the insufficient lighting makes the trek from the beginning of the station to the spot where my coach comes a little tricky,” said Joseph, a traveller.
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