 GS Asgotra
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 13: At a time when Northern Railway is patting its back, given the scheduled visit of Union Railway Minister, in Jammu to flag off new trains between Jammu Tawi to Haridwar but authorities have turned a criminal silence over the dilapidated residential quarters, posing continuous threat to lives of employees, forced to stay there.
The pathetic condition of quarters also exposed the tall claims of regular maintenance of quarters by the Maintenance wing and Works department of Railway.
If someone visits the Jammu Railway Colony and peek over the residential quarters, constructed on both side of the road, running parallel to railway platforms towards Kathua, he would easily gauge the criminal neglect on part of railway authorities, which have no sense of responsibility for the gullible employees, residing in the quarters.
"Broken windows and door, window panes, leaking roofs, crumbling structure, bushes and plants grown over wall itself narrate the condition of these structures, meant for the railway employees, who are forced to spend nights along with their families in these structures, inviting a catastrophe", an employee said.
These quarters are not repaired by the Railway Works department since long, due to which occupants are forced to either shift in private accommodations or putting life in danger.
Source in the department informed Early Times that since last many years, the occupants have time and again appraised the Works Department for renovation or dismantle the same but of no use.
"They even refused to consider that it is a danger. Work is going on as routine and whenever there are rains, the intensity of looming danger intensified", the official said.
An occupant wishing anonymity said, reptiles are frequent visitors to our rooms as the a Nullah, traverses from the quarters, which is not desilted for long time.
"Few days back, owing to water logging in the nallah, water barged in the quarters and damaged electronic gazettes but the department concerned seems un-bothered about it", said another occupant.
When contacted to Senior Section Engineer of Engineering Department said that periodically they have been maintaining the quarters and if there was any specific quarters, report the same and action would be taken.
He refused to give a clear version over the questions and evade the queries, and he even refused to tell his name. |
