an>
Title : Need to provide passenger amenities at railway stations in district Karimganj, Assam and complete broad gauge conversion work within the stipulated time frame.
SHRI LALIT MOHAN SUKLABAIDYA (KARIMGANJ): Indian Railways are going to modernise a number of railway stations to the world standard. This is, no doubt, a step to give a facelift to Indian Raiways as emphasised in the Railway Budget proposal. I congratulate the hon. Railway Minister for his sincere attempt[KD28] .
However, the railway in my constituency is also a part of Indian Railway. We do not dare dream of having any world class facilities at our railway stations in the near future. Our trains run at an average speed of 15 kilometres per hour, tracks are dilapidated, Railways are shaky and detention of trains due to landslides are random. There is definite doubt in the mind of the people here whether at all the BG conversion will ever be completed. Our important stations like Karimganj Junction, Badarpur Junction, Katakhal Junction, Baraigram Junction and Hailakandi are run down, void of passenger amenities and platforms are chipped off and unsmooth. Even in many stations in Badarpur-Dharamanagar section, Karimganj Dullavchhera section and Katakhal-Bhairavi section, there are no sheds over the platforms. The condition is worsening with the passage of time.
Considering the tremendous sufferings of the passengers in this region, I urge upon the Government to take measures on war-footing to restore the normal condition of the stations with sheds, passenger amenities, hygienic toilets, etc., and complete the BG conversion within the timeframe as declared earlier and to keep the railway service open for all days between Badarpur and Lumding by taking positive steps for protecting landslides, which is a recurring nuisance consuming huge unproductive expenditure since last few years.