Kolkata: Cleaner train toilets, more frequent cleaning of station washrooms, and coolies sleeping on platforms that make it difficult to navigate crowded stations were among the issues passengers raised with Eastern Railway’s general manager during a grievance and feedback campaign on Thursday.Gitika Pandey, the general manager, visited Howrah station, spoke with those waiting for trains and boarded a train to speak to passengers. Senior officials of Howrah division accompanied her.“The GM spoke with passengers waiting at the station and also boarded Sahid Express. Some passengers requested her to see if some food options can be made available in the train,” said an official. Sahid Express runs between Rampurhat and Howrah.The visit was part of a pan-India initiative ‘Rail Jan Samvaad’, conducted simultaneously across more than 7,000 stations and units of Indian Railways.Pandey asked officials accompanying her to note down the feedback.The campaign focused on strengthening cleanliness (Swachhta), effective space management, systematic disposal of scrap/e-waste, and meaningful citizen engagement, with particular emphasis on involving the younger generation, especially Gen Z, in the ongoing efforts to improve railway services and station premises.Shri Sheelendra Pratap Singh, Eastern Railway’s additional general manager interacted with passengers at Sealdah and Kolkata stations. Senior officials of Sealdah Division accompanied him. Singh also spoke with passengers travelling on Sealdah–Ballia Express at Sealdah station and Kolkata–Agra Cantt Express at Kolkata station.Shibram Majhi, chief public relations officer of Eastern Railway, said that “active engagement with passengers, especially Gen Z, will help us build cleaner, more efficient and passenger-friendly railway premises”.END
