The biggest colony of Indian Railways, the one located in Central part of the country, Ajni, lies in shambles. It is a picture in contrast with the gleaming and shining Railway stations across the country, while the Railway employees have to put up with shabby and unmaintained colonies. The rot did not set in overnight, it was persistent and consistent denial of funds on the part of higher Railway officials for proper upkeep and maintenance of Railway colonies that resulted in this sorry state of affairs. A walk through Ajni Railway Colony presents a scary picture of multi-storeyed buildings whose plaster has peeled off, cracked walls, creaking windows, which is almost a common sight. The state of affairs has over the years gone from bad to worst putting employees in a fix, as they are in catch-22 situation, protest and face wrath of bosses or just stay put and suffer in silence.

 

The current condition of the employees quarters is beyond description, as over the year lack of maintenance, it seems there was no provision in Railway Manual for the same, has taken a toll on the cement structures. Once a lively colony, Ajni today is misfit for even animals, yet employees are somehow have resigned themselves to their fate. No doubt, Railways are going for new multi-storeyed buildings, but the demand outstrips the supply. Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS) has raised the issue of lack of maintenance of quarters in Ajni Railway Colony with the administration. They claimed that though 40 employees were deployed for the job, but CRMS claims that in reality only a fraction of them are on duty.

 

About 9 to 10 employees were drafted for maintain of pump room and rest for upkeep and attending to complaints of employees. But in reality none of these employees hired for maintenance are available any time, leaving the Railway personnel to continue facing distress situation. The CRMS also claimed that the employees deputed to IoW, Ajni, are being transferred and handed over posting at other place, leaving the colony maintenance to fate.