Nagpur: Passenger trains running late, inadequate porter services and congestion at entry and exit points were among 23 issues raised by passengers during a ‘Pan India Rail Jan Samvad’ programme at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari station on Thursday. The railway administration assured passengers that steps would be taken to address the concerns, with punctuality and crowd management among the immediate priorities.Divisional railway manager (DRM) Deepak Kumar Gupta told TOI the exercise is aimed at reaching out to passengers across stations. “We have taken up 23 issues raised by passengers for immediate action. The objective is to interact directly with passengers, understand their problems and find out how we can improve our services. We also want to inform them about the development work being carried out at stations,” Gupta said.Passengers sought improvements in the punctuality of passenger trains operating between Balaghat, Tiroda, Itwari and Dongargarh. Gupta said delays caused by the same train being used for onward services affected punctuality and that efforts are being made to improve the schedule. Passengers also complained about delays involving the Shivnath and Intercity Express trains.The demand for adequate porter services at Itwari station was also raised. Gupta said the process of engaging porters is underway. Passengers also sought stoppages for trains that pass through Itwari without halting. A proposal for a train operating via Saoner towards Nagpur had already been sent, and the division would pursue it further, he said.Congestion at the station’s entry and exit points, particularly during the arrival and departure of trains, was also flagged. Gupta said railway personnel have been deployed to regulate movement and maintain discipline. Railings are being extended to separate incoming and outgoing passengers and prevent people boarding trains from getting caught in the rush of arriving passengers, especially at night.The DRM said the division would also take up traffic management around the foot overbridge with Nagpur Municipal Corporation and police. He added that Railway Protection Force had been asked to prevent men from entering the women’s coach.Gupta also said work on the Itwari-Nagbhid broad-gauge line, being undertaken by Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC), has progressed up to Umred. The line can be opened for passenger services after inspection and clearance by the Commissioner of Railway Safety. The administration hopes to begin services up to Umred once the necessary clearance is obtained.The one-day interaction was held across stations in the Nagpur division under Special Campaign 6.0, in accordance with Railway Board directions.
