Ajay Tamta to meet Rail Minister for action
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Haldwani
Although the Purnagiri Temple, a revered Shakti Peeth-nestled on the lap of Annapurna peak in Tanakpur of Champawat district- draws thousands of devotees from several states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and even Nepal, particularly during the Maa Purnagiri mela, the Tanakpur railway station through which they travel remains uncared for with scarce amenities. This fact is all the more glaring now as the number of devotees has seen a huge spike. As per the railway records, over 15, 000 people arrived at the station on way to the shrine on a single day-May 25.
The Railway officials said that the figure of people travelling through this station has broken all previous records. “There are a number of trains travelling through this station and now the two Mela Specials have been added to them to manage the surging crowd of devotees. But the amenities we expect at this station are woefully scarce. The Railways should sit up and improve things,” said a devotee in a despairing tone.
Notably, aside from Doon Jan Shatabdi, three pairs of Tanakpur – Pilibhit Passengers, Bareilly – Tanakpur DEMU Special and Tanakpur – Delhi run among others . through this station
Asked to recount which amenities they expect most at the station, another passenger on way to the shrine said that it was free public lavatories. “There are two modern use and pay washrooms along its three platforms. It means we have to pay to use them. But we, hailing from the rural areas, cannot afford to pay since we are not financially strong. We come here to offer puja to the Mother. It involves some expenses. So we avoid spending more to use these pay toilets,” he added.
The locals echo this view and say that the Railway authorities should set up free public washrooms. They also cite the fact that the construction work of a free public toilet has been stopped on the order of a senior Railway officer during his inspection of the station on May 29. “This station is not just for the devotees. It is used for other purposes too by the people of a vast region encompassing Champawat and Pithoragarh among other mountainous regions. The traders, army personnel and tourists use this station in large numbers daily. So this station needs special attention,” said an annoyed local.
Told about the growing grievances over the absence of a free washroom among the people, the Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta said over phone that given the religious importance of the Purnagiri fair which draws huge crowds, it must be ensured that the people, particularly the devotees who come from far-way places to have darshan of the Mother, are not inconvenienced. “I will soon meet the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and urge him to ensure that free toilets are built at the station. Besides, it is important that the station is beautified under the Amrit Bharat Yojana. I will also urge him to take initiatives so that some other basic facilities are made available at the station,” he said.
