Ara: Sudama Prasad, a member of the standing committee on railways, raised several concerns related to railways while participating in the discussion on the railway budget on Monday.Highlighting issues at smaller and rural stations, he said many continue to lack basic amenities such as drinking water, seating arrangements and adequate shelter. Several stations in Bhojpur district, he said, have low platform heights, causing inconvenience to passengers while boarding and alighting. He also pointed to the absence of toilets and other essential facilities, calling for immediate corrective measures.Raising concerns over accessibility and affordability, Prasad said railways remains the primary mode of travel for the poor and middle class. However, the reduction in general and sleeper coaches, coupled with a rise in premium trains, is making travel increasingly difficult for common passengers. He questioned whether the railways is gradually becoming accessible only to the affluent.He urged the govt to restore ordinary passenger trains discontinued during the Covid-19 period and to increase the number of daily passenger services. He said migrant workers and economically weaker passengers are often forced to travel in overcrowded conditions, and called for an increase in sleeper and general coaches to ease congestion.Expressing concern over the slow pace of construction of a railway foot overbridge in Ara, the MP demanded its early completion for the benefit of commuters.
