Amidst lofty claims, the world-class lift on Platform No. 1 at Jabalpur Railway Station has stopped working, leaving the elderly and specially-abled in dire straits. The lift, installed for passenger convenience on the platform has been out of service for the past 10 days due to a technical fault. This alleged negligence by the railway administration has made movement within the station premises a major challenge for passengers, especially senior citizens and the physically challenged. While the railway department consistently claims to provide world-class and modern facilities to passengers, the reality on the ground appears to be quite the opposite. The prolonged closure of this vital lift on the main platform clearly exposes the department’s sluggish functioning and indifference. Senior DCM Madhur Verma, when contacted, stated that the lift’s primary motor had malfunctioned, causing it to shut down. The primary motor has arrived and the lift will be operational in two to three days. Senior citizens, specially-abled and women passengers are facing the most difficulties due to the lift’s non-operation.

 

The lift is the easiest and only means for these passengers to travel from Platform No. 1 to the footover bridge. Due to the current lift’s non-operation, passengers are forced to take the stairs. Many elderly passengers are facing physical difficulties and hardships climbing the stairs with their heavy luggage. Some passengers present at the station expressed their anger, stating that due to the elevator being out of order, they must somehow reach the platform with the help of others. The situation is especially dire for passengers traveling alone or carrying a lot of luggage. Passengers say that the Railways makes lofty promises of modernizing stations and providing advanced facilities, but when it comes to maintaining these facilities, they shirk responsibility. The elevator being out of service for 10 days demonstrates the administration’s lack of seriousness in addressing passengers’ problems. Despite complaints, the relevant railway department has yet to take any effective steps to restore the elevator. Such chaos at a busy location like Platform No. 1 is also adversely affecting the Railways’ image. The passengers have demanded from the railway administration that this problem should be taken cognizance of immediately and the lift of platform number 1 should be repaired on war footing to provide relief to the passengers.