These metal-framed 'Suvidha' benches are also stationed on foot-overbridges and near ticket counters, posing an obstruction to commuters during peak hours and lead to further congestion of crowds
In a bid to decongest railway stations and platforms, the concerned authorities are identifying everything on the premises that is not essential.
For instance, the Western Railway (WR) is mulling over the removal of 'Suvidha' benches from platforms as they are rarely used by the security personnel, for whom they were meant, and are usually seen being utilised by commuters.
"These are meant for the Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police staff to sit on but most of the time they are found lying vacant or commuters are seen using them," said a WR official.
Following the stampede on a foot-overbridge at Elphinstone Road station that claimed the lives of 23 commuters, rail authorities are identifying things that obstruct the free movement of commuters inside stations.
These metal-framed 'Suvidha' benches are also stationed on foot-overbridges and near ticket counters, posing an obstruction to commuters during peak hours and lead to further congestion of crowds.
Not just this, the Railway Board has stated that it is also considering a proposal to introduce the concept of a single multi-purpose stall instead of the several food stalls that are seen on railway platforms. This is being suggested as the rail officials believe that these food and book stalls obstruct the right of way without good reason. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has directed the WR and Central Railway officials to do everything that is necessary to improve the safety situation at railway station premises.
The development comes at a time when the Railway authorities have decided to get rid of hawkers from rail premises by October 20. On October 5, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray warned the Railway authorities to get rid of hawkers within 15 days.
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