BLUNT BUTCHER
Jammu Railway Station is getting a face-lift on war-footing to impress the Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, who is scheduled to pay a visit to the most-thronged pilgrim destination of North India tomorrow to see for himself its status. However, the huge exercise has started boomeranging with people questioning the last-minute exercise and wondering whether the minister will fall into the ‘trap’ of those, who are supposed to ensure the station to wear a minimum ‘civilised ambience’ rest of the days also, owing to the arrival and departure of thousands of people a day, mostly pilgrims.
Ahead of the visit of Union Railway Minister, the local railway authorities have launched a massive cleanliness drive to polish their image.
On routine days, the railway station complex remains littered with heaps of garbage and public toilets present a dirty picture in front of pot holed roads.
The common food court located on the outer periphery of the railway station complex premises remain overcrowded due to mushrooming of mobile carts and other make shift fruit vendor stalls.
According to local railway authorities large number of work force has been roped in to clean the nook and corner of the railway station complex.
The local shop keepers and other vendors have been directed to keep their shops shut till afternoon during the visit of the railway minister.
In the wake of New Year celebrations the local shopkeepers have objected to the suggestion of the railway authorities but citing security risks and to avoid rush of pilgrims during the visit of the railway minister the authorities have prevailed upon the owners to keep their shops closed till 12.00 noon.
Suresh Prabhu is scheduled to inaugurate the complex and lay the foundation stone of executive lounge, escalators, lifts and mechanised laundry at Jammu railway station at 10.30 A.M.
Elaborate security arrangements are also in place to prevent entry of suspected persons inside the railway station complex.
The staff of GRP, and Railway Protection Force have been carrying out regular patrolling in the area to ensure fool proof security arrangements.