Nagpur: The bustling Nagpur railway station has turned into a nightmare for thousands of commuters, with severe traffic congestion, ongoing construction work and harassment by auto drivers. The situation is unbearable for everyone, especially senior citizens, pregnant women and young children who are forced to trek 300m in scorching heat to get a cab ride home.The situation became so traumatic that many residents are now dreading a return journey from the station. A commuter stated that construction materials are scattered everywhere, narrowing the already congested roads and forcing vehicles to crawl at a snail’s pace. “Senior citizens are gasping for breath as they try to manage luggage in the intense heat, navigating through chaos. We have to walk and walk before we get a cab pick-up,” he said.“Pregnant women and mothers with young children face even greater challenges, as they attempt to shield their little ones from the harsh sunlight while dealing with the constant harassment from auto drivers who aggressively approach them demanding exorbitant fares,” said a retired police official after walking out of Platform 1.“These auto operators have stopped app-based cabs from entering the station. It’s a mafia network that forces vulnerable commuters into uncomfortable bargaining situations,” said the former cop.The situation worsens when people try to book cabs through aggregator services, as many cabbies refuse short-distance pickups or simply fail to show up fearing the auto mafia. Recent bureaucratic hurdles have further complicated operations, creating additional delays that push desperate travellers into the clutches of the auto mafia.“The combination of heavy traffic, construction work and unreliable public transport options has created a storm of inconvenience that affects thousands of people every single day,” said another commuter.
