A video of spraying cold water on passengers sleeping on the platform at Lucknow’s Charbagh station is going viral on social media, drawing criticism from the Indian Railways. Amidst the cold wave, railway employees are spraying cold water on passengers sleeping on the platform at Charbagh station in Lucknow. In this footage viral on social media, it can also be seen that railway employees are pushing the passengers and forcing them to vacate the place.
It is said that this incident happened last week. Passengers were forced to leave the platform. Passengers sleeping on the platform hurriedly collected their belongings including blankets, which were later cleared by the railway staff.
Social media users were enraged by the incident and criticized the railway staff for their insensitivity towards passengers. One social media user wrote, ‘Heartbroken, there is so much poverty and neglect everywhere, government after government is disappointing people, while politicians one after another are filling their accounts in heaven.’
While others said that the station needs cleaning. But not like this, especially in such severe cold. No idea even for small children! Where should passengers go if their trains are late and the waiting rooms are full?
However, some people agreed with the authorities and said that this is not a place to relax as it may cause trouble to others.
As the controversy escalated, DRM of Lucknow issued a statement saying that the sanitation workers have been reprimanded. Also, passengers have been advised not to sleep on the platform. Necessary instructions have been issued to sanitation workers and CHI. Adequate facilities are available at the station including waiting rooms, dormitories and rest rooms, which passengers are encouraged to use.