Miscreants make a mess of new AC waiting hall

Kochi: The recently opened swanky air-conditioned waiting hall at Ernakulam Junction railway station was a welcome relief for passengers. But this waiting space, maintained by Kudumbashree Mission workers, is bearing the brunt of perverted acts by some passengers, who stuff used clothes into toilets and break water taps, making a mockery of the Swachh Bharat campaign undertaken by the railways.
"The waiting room was opened on April 17.One day we found a pair of trousers stuffed inside the European closet. People just throw away used undergarments in open spaces inside the toilet though we have kept waste baskets. Also, the used tissue papers are thrown on floor," said Ranjini Biju, a housekeeping staff.
There were two instances where someone tried to take away water taps from toilets. One knob went missing the other day. Some people also take away the towels given to those who take a bath.
"Railways is carrying out a lot of cleanliness works under the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan. The Thiruvananthapuram railway division is planning to open such air-conditioned waiting halls in other major stations as well with the support of Kudumbashree Mission. However, I feel the attitude of some passengers needs to change," said a senior railway official.
Meanwhile, passengers who use the facilities are happy with the arrangements. "The space is clean. The Kudumbashree workers are very cooperative. All the facilities given here are top-class," said Lovie Mathew, a Thiruvananthapuram resident and a bank employee.
Between April 17 and May 16, a total of 11,452 passengers have utilized the facility and the Kudumbashree has collected a revenue of Rs 3.32 lakh as user fee. The revenue is shared between Kudumbashree and railways at 80:20 ratio.
Unlike the normal air-conditioned waiting halls available in major stations in the country, this place has facilities such as free Wi-Fi, kids play zone, mini library, separate washrooms for men and women, breast feeding console, change room for infants and digital display of arrival and departure timings.