KARACHI: Member In-charge of Federal Ombudsman Secretariat Regional Office Karachi, Navid Ahmed Shaikh, Wednesday, directed officials concerned to ensure proper arrangements for passengers and cleanliness at Karachi Cantt railway station.
Navid Ahmed Shaikh accompanied by Associate Advisor to FOS regional office Karachi Riaz Memon carried out a surprise visit to the railway station on directives of the Federal Ombudsman who took notice of a media report regarding lack of cleanliness and other issues being faced by the passengers at railway station Karachi Cantt.
The member in charge visited different sections of the railway station including the platform, waiting rooms, and reservation counters, and reviewed the facilities being provided to the passengers. He also had interaction with passengers present there and inquired about the services and facilities being offered by Pakistan Railways.
Navid Ahmed Shaikh, sharing his observations with media persons at the occasion, said that the cleaning process was underway at the station but the overall cleanliness situation was not satisfactory and arrangements were seen as insufficient.
The DS Pakistan Railways informed that they were facing the issue of shortage of sanitary staff amid heavy workload at the station as all the trains arriving at the station used to throw garbage there, he said adding that the authorities concerned informed that alternate arrangements for cleanliness were being made to improve the situation.
Navid Shaikh said that during the visit to the railway station gates and scanners installed for security purposes were found nonfunctional. The Ombudsman Secretariat will forward observations and recommendations in the regard to concerned ministry so that remedial measures can be taken, he added.
The condition of waiting halls at the railway station was apparently better and arrangements for cleanliness were seen in place, the Member noted and stressed carrying out maintenance on a regular basis for the facilitation of the passengers.
A meeting will also be held with officers concerned to look into the issues being encountered including the availability of required funds and human resources and the overall situation will be conveyed to the federal government along with recommendations so that necessary action could be taken in the regard, he stated.
The Member FOS also urged the general public to avoid throwing garbage recklessly on the railway track or platforms and dispose-off the waste in dust bins.
Divisional Superintendent (DS) Karachi, Muhammad Nasir Khalili, responding to media queries at the occasion said that Pakistan Railways was providing drinking water and other facilities to the passengers while delay in the arrival or departure of trains was caused by rains that affected the signal system.
There were security arrangements and surveillance systems in place at the railway stations and 19 cameras were installed to monitor different buildings railway police were also vigilant, he added that railway stations had vast and open premises with many entry and exit points and it was difficult to ensure complete surveillance of the entire premises.
The railway authorities were taking further steps for beefing up security arrangements, new CCTV cameras were being installed while procurement of new walk-through gates and scanners was under process, he added.
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