MARGAO
What may appear to be an unusual sight at the Margao railway station has raised questions over the use of railway premises and water facilities, with people reportedly bathing in the open along the railway tracks.
Bathing in the open within railway property is not something commonly associated with a busy railway station. However, locals familiar with the functioning of the Margao railway station say the practice has been noticed on more than one occasion, with individuals seen using water believed to be supplied by the railways to bathe along the tracks.
The situation has raised questions for the Konkan Railway Corporation, particularly over who the persons using the facility are and under what circumstances they are being allowed to do so.
The first question is whether the individuals are railway employees who have been using the water facility for their personal needs, or whether they are outsiders or encroachers accessing railway premises and using public water without authorisation.
Even if those involved are railway employees, the practice of bathing in the open, particularly alongside railway tracks, raises concerns over hygiene, sanitation and the overall upkeep of the station premises. Such activity could also raise questions about whether adequate bathing and sanitation facilities are available to railway personnel working at the station, sources said.
Locals said the practice does not appear to be an isolated occurrence. “We think that those who regularly have a bath along the tracks are railway employees. Otherwise, the railway authorities should clarify who these persons are and take action if outsiders are using railway property and water facilities without permission,” a local familiar with the station said.
The person added that allowing such activity to continue gives an undesirable impression, particularly at a time when Margao railway station is undergoing development with the stated objective of providing modern infrastructure and improved passenger amenities.
“The station is being developed as a state-of-the-art railway station with modern amenities. Against this backdrop, seeing people bathing in the open along the railway tracks certainly does not augur well,” the local said.
