Tatanagar: Passengers face hardship as lift, escalator work remains stalled on platforms 2 and 3

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Feb 5: While preparations are underway to transform Tatanagar into a world-class station, passengers, particularly the elderly and those with luggage, are facing significant difficulties due to the lack of lifts and escalators on platforms 2 and 3. Although Tatanagar is an A-class station under the Chakradharpur Railway Division, the lift installation work on platforms 2-3 has been stalled for over two years with no clear timeline for completion. Meanwhile, platforms 4 and 5 also lack the necessary lift and escalator facilities, posing additional challenges for divyangs (differently-abled passengers) and the elderly.

Passengers have repeatedly complained about the inconvenience caused by the absence of these facilities, especially when carrying luggage. Three escalators are available at the station but are frequently out of service. The Railway Electrical Department is working on plans to install lifts at nine smaller stations within the division. AEN RK Verma stated that the work for this will begin in a day or two, but lift construction on platforms 2 and 3 has been delayed for over two years.

Currently, the station has a lift and two escalators on platform 1, though the escalators are often not operational. Work to install lifts and escalators on platforms 4 and 5 has not started yet, despite being a much-needed improvement as long-distance trains frequently stop on these platforms. Passengers are forced to climb stairs, causing discomfort for those with luggage or mobility issues.

Additionally, the Chakradharpur Railway Division has planned to install 21 lifts at various smaller stations such as Chakradharpur, Sini, Adityapur and Chaibasa under the Amrit Bharat Yojana, aimed at enhancing passenger facilities. Dr. Arun Tiwari, General Secretary of the Chotanagpur Passenger Association, emphasized that lifts and escalators should be installed at every platform, given the high passenger traffic and the significant revenue generated by the station.

Regarding Tatanagar, AEN RK Verma reassured that the lift work on platforms 2 and 3 is in progress and should be completed soon.