Nagpur: On August 13, 2024, the Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce (NVCC), representing 1.3 million traders from the Vidarbha region, submitted a detailed report to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Nagpur Central, Mr. Manish Agarwal, regarding the parking issues on both sides of Nagpur Railway Station, the frequent delays of several trains, and other station-related concerns.
The Chamber President, Mr. Arjundas Ahuja, extended a warm welcome to DRM Manish Agarwal with a bouquet and a shawl, followed by a briefing on the Chamber’s activities. He then presented the report highlighting the current parking problems caused by the ongoing construction of new parking facilities on both sides of the station, namely Tekdi Road and Santra Market, leading to a severe shortage of car parking spaces.
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The Chamber requested that, until the construction of these parking facilities is completed, temporary car parking arrangements should be made available at the Ola booking point and the Drop and Go area. They also urged that traffic police should refrain from imposing fines or using wheel clamps on vehicles parked in these areas during this period. Additionally, the Chamber suggested that side parking should be allowed on the main Tekdi Road.
NVCC Vice President Mr. Swapnil Ahirkar pointed out the issues with the escalators installed at the station, noting that they are often either non-functional or frequently stopped by passengers pressing the stop button. He recommended that permanent security personnel be stationed at the escalators to ensure they remain operational, given the significant investment made in their installation.
Further, the Chamber highlighted the need for proper facilities for elderly passengers, who often face difficulties due to the lack of easily accessible wheelchairs and battery-operated cars. The Chamber called for an increase in the availability of these facilities and suggested separate waiting rooms for women and elderly passengers. They also requested the reintroduction of pre-COVID concessions on train tickets for students and senior citizens above 60 years of age.
Chamber executive member Mr. Madhur Bang expressed concern over the frequent late arrivals of trains, particularly the Vidarbha Express, which consistently arrives late. He also mentioned that the Vande Bharat train is always parked at one end of the platform, forcing passengers to walk long distances and causing loss of business to stall owners on the platform. The Chamber urged the DRM to ensure that all trains arrive on time and to improve cleanliness at the station, given the round-the-clock passenger traffic.
Another Chamber member, Mr. Rakesh Gandhi, raised the issue of limited train stoppages at stations on the Katol-Narkhed route, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. He requested that at least morning and evening trains be given stoppages at these stations.
In response, DRM Manish Agarwal acknowledged the concerns raised by the Chamber and informed them that several parking zones are being created at Nagpur Railway Station. He assured them that the basement parking on the Ganesh Tekdi side would soon be opened for the public, which would significantly alleviate the parking issues. He also addressed the ongoing delays of trains arriving from the Howrah side, explaining that the problem would persist for about another year due to ongoing track work near Durg. Regarding the Katol-Narkhed route, he mentioned that most trains on this route were diverted during the COVID-19 pandemic but promised to forward the Chamber’s request for reinstating stoppages.
DRM Agarwal also encouraged passengers to use the “Rail Madad” portal to report any issues they encounter during their journey or at stations, ensuring prompt resolution of their problems.
Present at the meeting were Chamber President Mr. Arjundas Ahuja, Vice President Mr. Swapnil Ahirkar, executive members Mr. Rakesh Gandhi and Mr. Madhur Bang, and business organization representative Mr. Subhash Agarwal. The details of the meeting were shared in a press release by NVCC Secretary Mr. Sachin Puniani.
