Adityapur Station lacks safety, connectivity as rail operations expand
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, May 5: While the Railways is actively pushing forward the expansion of services and upgrading infrastructure under the LWE (Left Wing Extremism) initiative, Adityapur Railway Station — recently converted into a terminal — still lacks basic security and accessibility. Currently, the Tata-Hatia MEMU train operates from here and soon, trains bound for Bihar are also expected to start.
However, this decision has sparked concern and frustration among passengers. Many believe that diverting train operations from Tatanagar, a well-developed model station, to Adityapur is illogical. “Tatanagar is accessible and secure. Moving trains to Adityapur will create unnecessary hardship,” said Sunita Singh, a resident of Mango, whose village lies in Vaishali, Bihar. “We can easily reach Tatanagar, but getting to Adityapur early in the morning is unsafe and costly.”
Passengers have pointed out that reaching Adityapur station for the 4:30 am MEMU train requires leaving home by 3 am. Share autos are unavailable at that hour, forcing people to reserve autos at inflated rates ranging from Rs. 250 to Rs. 300 — the same as the train fare to Ranchi. “We end up spending more on the auto than the train ticket,” said Pratibha Singh of Mango.
Security remains a major concern. “Travelling to Adityapur at night is dangerous due to lack of police patrolling and criminal elements near the station,” locals warned. They have demanded tighter security and proper planning before shifting train operations.
Despite the concerns, some believe this move could help reduce congestion at Tatanagar and avoid train cancellations. “If the Railways plans effectively, problems can be minimized,” said a representative of the Chhotanagpur Passenger Association.
Passengers agree: development is welcome, but not at the cost of safety and convenience.
Poor connectivity, safety fears dominate passenger feedback
Jamshedpur, May 5: As railway operations gradually shift from Tatanagar to the newly converted Adityapur terminal, a wave of passenger dissatisfaction has surfaced. While development is underway, passengers say the transition has brought more problems than solutions.
Key suggestions from passengers include the need for paid taxi services at Adityapur station to ensure safe and hassle-free travel. They also demand increased police patrolling during train hours to deter thefts and other crimes. “Night travel to Adityapur feels unsafe because of poor security,” said a commuter. Additionally, the absence of safe parking has raised concerns over potential vehicle theft.
Locals have requested direct auto services from Sakchi and Bistupur to Adityapur to ease access. Many argue that not all trains should be shifted—only a few services should start from Adityapur to balance convenience and reduce pressure on Tatanagar.
Cost is another major issue. “Passengers heading to Tatanagar now need to reserve autos, which cost Rs. 250–Rs. 300, almost equal to train fare,” said a resident. Moreover, outsiders arriving in Jamshedpur may struggle the most due to limited connectivity and lack of basic station facilities.
Abhishek Singhal, ARM Tatanagar, responded to some of the concerns: “The GG waiting hall has not been inaugurated yet but will be opened soon. Train operations from Adityapur haven’t fully begun.”
Acknowledging the inconvenience, Arun Tiwari of the Chhotanagpur Passenger Association remarked, “This is a transition period. Planning is done internally, but sudden train cancellations due to block closures cause hardship. Railways should release a calendar and offer alternatives.”
Passengers agree that better planning, improved security and reliable transport services are essential for a smooth transition to Adityapur.
Plight of the people: Voices from the ground on Adityapur Station shift
Jamshedpur, May 5: As the railways gradually shift train operations from Tatanagar to Adityapur, passengers are raising serious concerns about safety, accessibility and affordability. Here are some reactions reflecting the growing frustration among commuters:
“Auto drivers charge arbitrary fares at night. The administration must regulate rates and set up designated auto stands,” said Suresh Singh, highlighting the urgent need for transport regulation.
“Shifting trains from Tatanagar to Adityapur is unfair to passengers. Direct connectivity from Tatanagar was far more convenient,” said Pushpa Devi.
“For women, reaching Adityapur at night is extremely unsafe. Proper security and lighting near the station are essential,” urged Kalpana Devi.
“There is no proper parking facility at Adityapur. The constant fear of vehicle theft looms large. Authorities should fix this immediately,” said Amod Sharma.
“The area around the station is poorly lit. Installing lights and CCTV cameras can assure passengers of safety,” added Kavita Devi.
“A middle-class family cannot afford Rs. 99 for a shared auto or Rs. 300 for a reserved one. It’s financially draining,” said Lalita Singh.
“Travelling to Adityapur at night is unsafe. There’s no police presence on the route. We travel in constant fear,” said Manorama Singh.
“The decision to run all Bihar-bound trains from Adityapur without planning is wrong. Areas like Telco and Govindpur will face inconvenience,” said Amit Kumar.
“My village is in Bihar. Earlier, shared autos from Tatanagar made travel easy. Now, reaching Adityapur will be a costly challenge,” said Sunita Devi.
“A prepaid taxi service at the station would ease the burden on passengers. Right now, it’s completely disorganized,” said Soni Singh, adding that one must leave at 3 am to catch early morning trains, with no share autos available.
“This is the unfortunate ground reality,” concluded Anwit Bhagat.
“For women, reaching the station is a challenge. There should be police patrolling and a dedicated women’s help desk,” suggested Anandita Sharma.
