Train Travellers Association urges railways to finish Amrit Bharat Station works before GHMC election code
HYDERABAD: With local body elections expected soon and the Model Code of Conduct(MCC) expected to cause delays, the Train Travellers Association urged railway authorities to speed up the remaining 5% of work at Amrit Bharat stations, including Malkajgiri railway station. The Association also called for immediate public access to finished facilities, such as toilets and waiting areas, instead of waiting for VIP inaugurations.
Additionally, other stations in the erstwhile GHMC area being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) include Begumpet, Hafizpet, Hi-Tech City, Uppuguda, Hyderabad (Nampally), Malakpet, and Secunderabad.
Furthermore, several stations have already been inaugurated. Many others are nearly 95% complete. The Association said that the remaining 5% of work, although small, is critical to making stations fully functional and passenger-friendly.
Meanwhile, Train Travellers Association President Noor Ahmed Ali said officials from Gati Shakti, Engineering, Electrical, Commercial, and Operating departments regularly monitor progress. However, he said contracting agencies need more pressure to finish the work without further delay.
He further explained, “Local body elections, including those for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), are expected soon. Once the election notification is issued, the Model Code of Conduct will come into effect. This could delay the completion and inauguration of pending works by one or two months.”
In particular, Ali highlighted hardships faced by women passengers at several stations. Old washrooms were demolished for reconstruction, but new restrooms have not opened yet.
Emphasizing the issue, he said, “Passenger convenience should be the top priority.” He urged railway authorities to open completed amenities, especially toilets and waiting areas, for public use instead of keeping them closed for VIP inaugurations.
Subsequently, the Association appealed to the Railway Board and divisional authorities to prioritize essential facilities. They asked officials to ensure the public does not suffer because of administrative or ceremonial delays.
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to modernize railway stations with better amenities, accessibility, and passenger infrastructure. However, with elections approaching, advocacy groups worry that the last part of these projects could stall. This would leave many commuters, especially women and elderly people, inconvenienced.
The Train Travellers Association called for a special effort to finish the last 5% of pending works within two weeks. They want this done before the Model Code of Conduct is enforced.
