Passengers Struggle for Drinking Water
Jamshedpur: In a bid to enhance passenger amenities at Tatanagar Railway Station, the railway administration has initiated the process to open several new tea stalls across Platforms 1 to 5. The railways have launched an e-auction process for catering services to facilitate these additions.
New Stall Locations
According to the official tender, which has been issued for a five-year tenure, the new units will be strategically placed at:
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Platform No. 1: Between the Advaita Ashram and Sarvodaya Book Stall.
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Platforms 2 & 3: Between Columns 20 and 21.
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Platforms 4 & 5: Between Columns 2 and 3.
A similar initiative is also underway for Rourkela Station, where tenders have been floated for new tea stalls on every platform.
The Irony: Modern Stalls vs. Basic Needs
While the railways focus on expanding commercial catering units, the station is currently grappling with a severe drinking water crisis. Passengers have expressed deep frustration over the lack of basic facilities, particularly as the heat rises and train delays become more frequent.
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Platform 2 & 3 Crisis: Water supply on these platforms is reportedly near a total standstill.
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Existing Units Closed: Despite the plan for new stalls, several older units remain shut, limiting options for travelers.
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Operational Neglect: Current stall operators claim that despite repeated complaints regarding the faulty water infrastructure, no concrete action has been taken by the authorities.
The contrast between the revenue-generating e-auctions and the failure to provide free drinking water has drawn sharp criticism from daily commuters and long-distance travelers alike.
