Question : INCREASE OF SECOND CLASS BOGIES

(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news- item captioned “for 30,000 Sonepat commuters, journey to Delhi is an ordeal” appearing in ‘The Hindustan Times’ dated October 17, 2000;

(b) if so, the details of points brought out in the news-item;

(c) the action taken to remove the ordeals faced by daily commuters;

(d) whether the sanitary condition at the railway stations, in trains and the lavatories on the platform is horrible without any tangible results;

(e) if so, whether there is an shortage of drinking water at the railway stations and in the reserved compartments; and

(f) if so, the measures taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH)

(a) to (f): Yes, Sir. The news item has raised the issues of overcrowding and late running of trains on the Sonepat-Delhi section. Introduction of additional trains and augmentation of trains running on the Sonepat-Delhi section is not feasible at present, due to operational and resource constraints including lack of spare maintenance facilities in the MEMU/EMU car shed and line capacity constraints. Indian Railways made all out efforts to ensure punctual running of trains through intensive round the clock monitoring of trains at all the three tiers of Railway administrations. However, trains some time run late due to various factors including asset failure due to obsolescence, agitation, bad weather, miscreant activity, etc. It is the constant endeavour of Railway to improve the standard of cleanliness on railway stations. Regular checks and special drives regarding cleanliness are conducted and corrective action is taken wherever necessary. Drinking water facility at railway stations, as per scale of minimum essential amenity, is available.