Water vending machines at Diva railway station, that have been as soon as a source of drinking water for many residents and commuters, have grow to be non-purposeful because the final 4 years; CR authentic says a criminal battle among an company this is maintaining the machines and the IRCTC goes on and further course of movement can be determined later
Once a supply of consuming water for lots residents and commuters of Diva, the water vending machines on the Diva railway station have turn out to be non-purposeful for the reason that ultimate 4 years.
When the machines were mounted on the station, many who used to travel by using the station accumulated drinking water and carried it domestic as they faced acute water cuts on this suburb of Thane.
“I used to carry a 5-litre can every day and even as returning domestic, I used to fill water from the gadget and take it domestic. There is lots of water scarcity in my place and, at times, there is no supply for two-three days. In such cases, the machines have been a boon. Now, we haven’t any alternative but to shop for water from shops. It is highly-priced,” said Mahesh Patil, a 37-12 months-antique resident of Milind Nagar in Diva.
The Diva passenger affiliation has highlighted the need to function the water vending machines. There are such water vending machines installed – one at platform No. 1 and the alternative at platform Nos. 7-eight.
“The machines had been set up even earlier than the pandemic, round four years in the past. There is not any sign of it functioning as they absolutely lie unused. The machines used to vend easy consuming water at a low fee and plenty of used to carry water in bottles to their houses. I have got several calls in which people requested me why the machines were no longer functional. If there may be no plan to restart them, the railway should at the least do away with them from the systems,” stated Aadesh Bhagat, president, Diva Railway Passenger Association.
Sugandhi Kate, a fifty six-yr-antique who became touring from Diva to Dadar, stated, “During summer, I absolutely relied upon those machines for water. I did now not bring from home as it would make my bag heavy and I actually have shoulder ache. So, the device became a chief assist. Now I am compelled to carry the water bottles from home.”
The crowd on the station is growing every day. Between one and one-and-a-half lakh commuters take trains from Diva station day by day. Bhagat said that if the machines have been now not to be reinstated, removing them will make space for commuters to face on the platform.
“At Diva, the water merchandising machines are maintained through a private business enterprise allotted through the IRCTC. There is a legal struggle taking place between the business enterprise and the IRCTC, for that reason the problem is sub-judice. After a selection from the courtroom, in addition path of movement can be decided,” said AK Jain, senior public relations officer, Central Railway.