Mangaluru : The Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL) has cleaned up the inside of the Surathkal Railway Station after being criticised by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel last week. However, the cleared garbage was dumped in a 300 cubic feet trench right at the entrance of the station and was set on fire.
When The Hindu visited the station on Thursday to do a reality check of the after-effect of the MP’s visit, about a tonne of garbage was on fire inside the trench, emanating thick smoke clouds. This was definitely a nuisance, said Nareshchandar, who was entering the station to board a train to Mumbai.
KRCL officials said the garbage collected from within the station premises was dumped in the trench and set on fire. “The MP had directed us to clear the garbage,” an official said.
On the other hand, the entire station area, platforms and track, looked spick and span. Sadananda, who lives in Mumbai and had come to visit his relatives at Mulki, said the station premises appeared good compared with his earlier visit around six months back. His only concern was the late arrival of Mangalore Junction-Mumbai CSTM Express for his journey to Mumbai.
The KRCL was also prompt in fixing the drinking water problem on the station premises. A plumber was seen installing new water taps along the platform. A new and wider entry/exit to the station being constructed by the Konkan Railway was almost complete.
The station is used by around 500 passengers every day, said the KRCL spokesperson in Mangaluru. About 10 pairs of trains stop at Surathkal every day. The spokesperson also said the KRCL has provided proper space for an autorickshaw stand in front of the station as directed by Mr. Nalin Kumar. The circulating area as well as tracks have been cleaned, the spokesperson said, adding that the station building would also get a fresh coat of paint.
Mr. Nalin Kumar was also unhappy with the catering contractor preparing food on the platform. No such activities were found on Thursday.
