Shiv Sena protests new Jammu Tawi exit plan, opposes forcing passengers towards Narwal
Jammu, Sep 21: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), J&K unit, on Monday staged a protest outside Jammu Tawi Railway Station against the new exit arrangement introduced from September 16 as part of the station’s redevelopment, alleging that passengers were inconvenienced by being directed towards Narwal.
Led by party’s J&K president Manish Sahni, the protesters demanded that passengers be allowed to choose an exit according to their convenience and requirements.
“Railway premises and passengers are not the private property of railway officials. Passengers must have the freedom to use an exit according to their convenience,” Sahni said.
He said the new arrangement was particularly inconvenient for passengers arriving on late-night trains and raised concerns over the safety and accessibility of women, elderly people and those travelling alone.
Sahni said the Railway Administration should first ensure adequate facilities, including lockers, dormitories and public transport such as autos, taxis and matadors, before directing passengers towards Narwal.
He also pointed out that most accommodation facilities, registration counters and private hotels used by pilgrims travelling to and from Mata Vaishno Devi are located towards the main railway station.
The Shiv Sena leader claimed that the new arrangement could adversely affect around 500 shopkeepers and traders operating near the station, which he said was already facing the economic impact of changing rail traffic patterns.
“If crowd management or construction work is the concern, the Railway Administration should provide a temporary foot overbridge, safe corridor or alternative secure exit instead of forcing passengers towards one particular route,” Sahni said.
He warned that the party would intensify its agitation if the concerns of passengers and traders were not addressed promptly.
Sanjeev Kohli, Sanjay Bhatt, Aditya Mahajan, Balwant Singh, Raju Kapoor and Tarsem Kumar were among those present.