Incharge Federal Ombudsman Karachi For Improving Security, Cleanliness Arrangements At Railway Stations

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jul, 2024) Member In-charge Federal Ombudsman Secretariat Regional Office Karachi, Navid Ahmed Shaikh, Wednesday, directed officials concerned to ensure proper arrangements for passengers and cleanliness on Karachi Cantt railway station.

Navid Ahmed Shaikh accompanied with Associate Advisor to Federal Ombudsman Secretariat regional office Karachi Riaz Memon carried out a surprise visit of the railway station on directives of the Federal Ombudsman who took notice of a media report regarding lack of cleanliness and other issues being face by the passengers at railway station Karachi Cantt.

The member in charge visited different sections of the railway station including 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 cleaning process was underway at the station but overall cleanliness situation was not satisfactory and arrangements seen insufficient.

The DS Pakistan Railways informed that they were facing issue of shortage of sanitary staff amid heavy work load 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 of the railway station walk through 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 could be taken as to, he added.

The condition of waiting halls at the railway station was apparently better and arrangements for cleanliness seen in place, the Member noted and stressed on carrying out maintenance on regular basis for facilitation of the passengers.

A meeting will also be held with officers concerned to look into the issues being encountered including availability of required funds and human resource and the over all 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 Federal Ombudsman Secretariat 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.

There were security arrangements and surveillance system in place at the railway stations and 19 cameras were installed to monitor different buildings while railway police were also vigilant, he informed adding that railway stations had a 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.