A Glitch in the Rs 125 Crore Facelift
Just one day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly redeveloped Jalandhar Cantt railway station, passengers are finding the reality of the facility far removed from the official promise. Despite a Rs 125 crore investment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the station is currently failing to deliver its primary services. Air-conditioned waiting halls remain locked, and none of the nine newly installed escalators are operational. For travelers battling humid weather, the cooling systems are largely inadequate.
The Limbo of Contractor Oversight
The 110-year-old British-era station was redesigned to provide an “airport-like experience,” but the transition is stalled. Station Superintendent Jan Bahadur Patel confirmed that the Railways have yet to take control of the site from private contractors, who are still conducting equipment trials. According to Patel, the station will be handed over to railway authorities only after “proper checks to ensure everything is functioning smoothly.”
Commuters Stranded Amid Infrastructure Gaps
The gap between the promised amenities and the current state of the station has sparked immediate frustration. Aniket Kumar, a passenger traveling to Gwalior, arrived expecting modern facilities, only to find the air-conditioned waiting rooms shuttered. “We have no option but to sit here,” Kumar said. Travelers are currently congregating near the entrance, hoping to catch a breeze from ceiling fans, while elderly passengers and children were observed sitting on the floor to escape the heat.
Mobility and Security Failures
The failure of the infrastructure extends to basic accessibility. Manjinder Singh, traveling to Amritsar, was forced to carry his luggage up the stairs because none of the nine escalators were running. Singh remarked that he had expected a modern station experience. Security measures are also faltering; the women’s waiting room, designed as a secure space for solo travelers, is currently failing to meet its objectives, with observers noting that the area lacks monitoring and is being occupied by male passengers.
The Path to Full Functionality
The full realization of the “airport-like” experience remains hostage to ongoing equipment trials. The station is expected to undergo a transition of services once contractors complete their safety and functionality checks. Until the Railways officially assumes control, travelers will continue to face limited access to the climate-controlled waiting areas and mechanical transport systems.