Safety at stake in Yelahanka

With the recent improvements at the Yelahanka railway station, those who travel via this station are mostly happy. However, with six platforms, the station is not fully accessible to physically challenged, senior citizens and those who travel with a lot of luggage.

Although the station has foot overbridges, passengers continue to cross tracks, especially at the slope where trolleys are moved.

The growing number of people crossing tracks at this way points to the need for a ramp for the physically challenged, especially considering the fact that at least 12 trains pass through this station every day.

“The station is maintained well, but it is tough for the physically challenged to cross platforms as there is no ramp or elevator. This is also a problem for passengers like me—I have a lot a luggage and have to carry it all over the place,” said Gagan K, a passenger at the station.

Another problem at the station is the lack of cleanliness in toilets. When a DNA reporter visited the station, toilets were stinking and the one for ladies was locked. However, the person in charge of maintenance of the toilets said toilets are cleaned every day.

“The toilets are open from 4 am to 9.30 pm. We clean it everyday,” he said, adding that, “because men use the ladies’ toilet, we keep it locked when no one is using it.”

AK Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, South Western Railway, said Yelahanka station will be modernised at a cost of Rs12 crore. “Building ramps for the physically challenged is part of the modernisation plan. An extra platform will be added and a direct approach to platform number one will be constructed,” he said.