Thursday night, I was at the Vasco Railway Station to see off my female caretakers and what I witnessed should put every Goan to shame.
To board the early Friday morning train to Jharkhand, hundreds of passengers had arrived on Wednesday night at the station since getting public transport in the wee hours in Goa is impossible and the taxi fares are beyond anyone’s reach. The large numbers of passengers including labourers were forced to sleep in the corridors and outside the station.
It is inhumane that while there is a waiting room at the station, but the same was locked and not provided even to the women, young girls and children, who were trying to escape the cold.
Their troubles multiplied by drunken men ogling at them and chaos all around as these intoxicated men were in constant friction over some issues. Swarms of mosquitoes hovered over the place too.
The railway authorities should ensure that atleast the women and children are provided with a shelter and like all other stations across the country, there are attendants who ensure that the passengers are safe. It’s a shame that despite having a dedicated room for them, the same is locked and the passengers are forced to suffer in the open.
The State government, especially the Vasco MLA should look into the matter as it is a question of the State’s image and also law and order, as any untoward incident arising from a petty brawl could end up into a major crime scene at the station.
