Chandigarh: Due to the ongoing revival of Chandigarh Railway Station under the Amrut Bharat Station project, passengers are forced to face a tough time on platform number 1, where important trains including Vande Bharat Express (two), Shatabdi Express (three) and Jan Shatabdi Express (one) arrive and depart. Giant pillars have been erected on the platform, reducing the width of the passage for passengers. “We have come here from Jaipur by Vande Bharat Express. Our coach was C-13, which was quite far behind. It was also very difficult to reach the exit. Even barriers have been erected between two pillars. It has become difficult for two people to walk parallel with luggage,” said Ravi Thakur, a senior citizen. “Only God knows when the revival work will be completed,” he said.
After the arrival of the Vande Bharat Express from Ajmer at 2.45 pm, the platform was crowded with passengers and passengers alighting from the rear coaches of the train were seen trying to exit with their luggage. “We could not proceed as passengers were coming out of a coach with their bags and it blocked the way. I understand the project will accommodate more passengers once it is completed, but why are they not completing it on time?” asked Karan, 35, who was waiting for his taxi outside the station. It is important to mention that the station is being renovated under a Rs 462-crore project and has missed its completion deadline twice since its launch in January 2023. Now, the work is set to be completed by May next year, as informed Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu during a visit to check the progress of the project on October 1.
