Buxar: Commuters and local residents are up in arms against a sewage drain being constructed at Dumraon railway station. They alleged wastewater from a newly built toilet is being connected to an unfinished storm water drain with no proper outlet, raising fears of sewage overflow during the monsoon.The railways is constructing the drain near the ticket office to connect a newly built ‘Pay and Use’ toilet with an incomplete storm water drain. Residents said the septic tank for the new toilet was constructed near the ticket office without adequate planning for wastewater disposal.Rajiv Ranjan Singh, president of the Dumraon Daily Passenger Association, has lodged a complaint with senior railway officials, alleging that the approach road has been dug up and left unfinished while no permanent arrangement has been made for sewage disposal. “With the monsoon progressing, even light rain causes inconvenience to pedestrians. If sewage and rainwater begin overflowing on the road, it will create a serious public health hazard,” Singh said.When contacted, Mahendra Rajak, inspector of works (IOW), Danapur, said the railways would make an alternative arrangement for wastewater disposal to ensure sewage does not overflow onto the road.Reacting to the railways’ response, Sanjay Kumar, a daily commuter, said the dug-up road had already made access to the station difficult. “If sewage starts overflowing during the rains, passengers will face serious inconvenience and health risks,” he said.Poonam Rai, a frequent visitor to the station, said, “Instead of improving passenger amenities, the work has created new problems. Proper drainage should have been planned before constructing the toilet.”
