Ambala, November 13 (R. Singh):- Amid heavy passenger rush in trains during the festive season and holidays, questions are being raised over railway arrangements. Despite claims of reducing congestion on certain routes, the situation in trains such as the Jansewa Express remains serious. Overcrowding in reserved coaches and excessive rush in general coaches have made train journeys dangerous for passengers. Many passengers are being forced to stand in toilets.
Today, Friday, as the Amritsar–Purnia Jansewa Express (14618) arrived at Platform No. 2 of Ambala Cantt railway station, a huge crowd of passengers rushed to board the train. Hundreds of passengers were caught in the chaos. Due to alleged railway negligence, chair car coaches had been replaced with general coaches, resulting in a severe shortage of space. Very few doors of the coaches were open. As a result, many passengers were seen entering coaches through windows and toilets. Some passengers knocked on the closed doors and requested that they be opened, but those inside refused, fearing for their own safety and citing the lack of space. One passenger who managed to board the train was forced to get off after experiencing difficulty in breathing. As the train departed, several migrant passengers were seen hanging from the doors and footboards. RPF and GRP personnel deployed on the platform tried to ensure that passengers boarded in an orderly manner and to open the closed doors. However, their efforts failed due to the massive crowd and resistance from passengers inside the train. RPF In-charge Ravinder Singh said that additional personnel had been deployed and passengers were being advised to avoid undertaking risky journeys.
