SWR’s ABSS redevelopment sites put passengers at risk

Hubballi: South Western Railway's (SWR) redevelopment of 34 stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) Phase-II, costing Rs 801.9 crore, has raised safety concerns.
Passengers allege that these construction works neglect safety measures, with earthmovers digging platforms about 9 feet deep without barricades or warning boards, even as trains are stationed on them.Rain has made many platforms slushy, posing risk to passengers while boarding or deboarding.
Ganesh Singh Byali, president of Betgeri Railway Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti, told TOI that Gadag is also one among 34 stations that are selected for development under ABSS. “We are happy with the development work but not satisfied with the safety measures taken up by the officials. They start digging the platform for about 10 feet when trains are stationed on the platform. They neither place barricades nor warning boards. If an accident occurs, who will take responsibility? There are few instances of Railways denying compensation saying it is not responsible for someone falling,” he said.
Kutubuddin Kazi, founder president of Karnataka State Railway Development Agitation Committee, Bagalkot, shared that he has often requested railway officials to ensure safety at Bagalkot station, but they are passing the buck to others. “At the other end, works are going at a snail's pace. Passengers are forced to walk on slushy platforms during rains,” he alleged.
Chandrashekhar Palaniswami, a frequent traveller in Almatti said that passengers must climb a temporary mud heap of 4-5 feet to enter or exit the Almatti station. “This situation has prevailed for over 8-10 months. Passengers have no way to walk on the border, as the platform is filled with stones and sand. On seeing the situation, many passengers board the train at the Station Manager’s office itself and it creates a crowd at those coaches while other coaches will be empty” he analysed.
Dr Manjunath Kanamadi, chief public relations officer, SWR, Hubballi, said measures like sturdy barricading; engaging flagman; sandbags above the finished foundation; safety counselling and safety audit at the site are done.