It's a plant: Saplings sowed a week ago have dried up

It’s not just celebrities who keep a lookout for a photo-ops. Even government officials don’t want to miss a chance. So, here comes the obvious question: Was the picture taken of Central Railway’s additional general manager Sharad Ingale planting saplings on August 15 a photo-op or one shot for a good cause?

A week after Ingale planted saplings between Parel and Dadar stations on Independence Day as part of an afforestation drive, most of these saplings have dried up, wilting reminders of the day. That’s how serious the CR is about initiatives taken by their bosses, says a commuter at Parel.

“Commuters at Parel station have been facing many problems but  the railways have been delaying removing them. We have been asking for a fast train halt at Parel and an extension of the platform for a long time, but there has been no response,” Sanjay Ghavate, who has been fighting for an up-gradation of the station, said.

The plantation drive was held on the morning of August 15 after Ingle unfurled the national flag at Mumbai CST.

According to the Indian Railway Works Manual, trees are planted in accordance with Para 704 of the manual. The engineering department is responsible for tree plantation and maintenance of horticulture in common areas like stations, colonies, offices and community parks.

“But at Mumbai suburban stations, most of the gardens are in a bad shape. They have become dumping grounds,” said a traveller. A few years ago, the railways had launched a drive to gardens at station ends, but that died a natural death.

CR spokesperson AK Singh said that CR will look into the matter.

Most of the saplings planted on August 15 have dried and wilted away.