Vidarbha Taxpayers Association demands direct train from Nagpur to Delhi

NAGPUR: The Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) on Thursday demanded a direct train to Delhi from Nagpur.
A VTA delegation led by its president JP Sharma and secretary Tejinder Singh Renu in a memorandum to railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge said in 2010-11 budget, Nagpur-Delhi-Nagpur Duronto was proposed, but this remained only on paper. Copy of the memorandum was also submitted to Central Railway DRM OP Singh.
“Considerable traffic is estimated on this sector and therefore Delhi train should now become a reality,” Renu said.
Renu pointed out that surplus land is available with railways in major cities. The land can be utilized for development of budget hotels and restaurants on build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis for the benefit of commuters.
Raising the issue of safe journey, Sharma said delays and accidents have become common due to fog. He demanded thermal imagers to assist drivers to see almost four times than conventional headlights on engines.
Many railway bridges are constructed by the British and have lived their life. Such bridges should be replaced. Renu added although maintenance and cleanliness of stations is improving, parking of vehicles at major stations like Nagpur is deteriorating.
The VTA demanded more thrust on cleanliness of bogies and platforms including train compartments, toilets, quality of bedsheets and towels, food etc. Pest control in bogies must be carried out on regular intervals.
VTA also demanded appropriate security staff aboard trains. Sharma said autorickshaw drivers should be banned from entering the station area. East side of Nagpur station is not being utilized by commuters due to poor infrastructure and insufficient parking. VTA demanded more facilities at east side.
VTA also urged Singh to push for timely completion of Ram Jhula. Singh assured the delegation that he would try to solve the issues relating to Nagpur at the earliest and forward various demands to railway ministry.
VTA delegation included joint secretary Hemant Trivedi, executive body members Amarjeet Singh Chawla, Rajesh Kanoongo, Saqib Parekh and Hemant Sarda.