Stray cattle, dogs and garbage mar ambience of Gaya railway station

Gaya: As one steps onto platform number 1C at Gaya railway station — the starting point of the 22304 Gaya-Howrah Vande Bharat Express — stray cattle, street dogs and heaps of garbage are an unmissable sight. This is despite the fact that the station is undergoing renovation at an estimated cost of about Rs 300 crore to give it a world-class look with a substantial portion of the work already completed.The presence of stray animals and garbage, however, belies official claims and reflects poorly on the management of the strategically important station, said Deepak Kumar, a rail user. “Photographic evidence of the mismanagement is available. More than anything else, it reflects poorly on the work culture and sensibilities of those responsible for the station’s management,” he said.While the presence of stray cattle at Gaya railway station is not new, the problem appears more glaring in the changed ambience following renovation. Cattle are often seen defecating freely on the platforms, undermining basic hygiene standards. What has drawn sharper criticism this time is the dumping of garbage near the spot where the executive class coaches of the Vande Bharat Express are usually positioned. The semi-high-speed train runs between Gaya and Howrah six days a week. Except for Thursday, it operates on all other days.“The presence of stray cattle and dogs is scaring, more so for women and children. Such carelessness robs the place of much of its ambience and glamour,” said a Howrah-bound passenger.Vinod Kumar, superintendent of Gaya railway station, conceded that the cattle and dog menace was real. He attributed the problem largely to boundary-related issues and the ongoing construction work at the station.“The boundary wall has been broken at several points, which has created openings for four-footed intruders,” he said.The station superintendent also placed part of the blame on passengers. According to him, many travellers throw leftover food items on the platforms, which attracts cattle and dogs. “There is a need to sanitise the passengers as well. Passenger cooperation is necessary for maintaining the sanctity of the platforms,” he said.On the issue of garbage accumulation, the superintendent assured that the matter would be addressed seriously and resolved soon.Kaushalendra Pratap, a member of the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC), said the matter needed urgent attention. “Besides cleanliness, it also concerns the safety of passengers, as they are vulnerable to cattle attacks and dog bites,” he said.As per the renovation project details, Gaya railway station is set to be equipped with a spacious concourse area of approximately 6,400 square metres to improve crowd flow, along with modern waiting halls, high-speed Wi-Fi, upgraded train announcement systems, and clean, modern washrooms. The plan also includes food stalls, ATM kiosks, improved ticketing counters, 23 lifts, 11 escalators and separate entry and exit gates to ensure smoother passenger movement.The renovation project is likely to be completed by the end of 2026, sources said.