Removal of vast concrete flooring on the premises of Coimbatore North Railway Station raises eyebrows

MP Natarajan calls for investigation into removal of concrete flooring at Coimbatore North Railway Station, citing wasteful expenditure. Zonal Railway Users' Consultative Committee members welcome move to create new passenger facilities, but urge caution in digging up concrete flooring.

COIMBATORE: Removal of concrete flooring on a vast expanse by the Railways on the premises of Coimbatore North Railway Station, as part of the Vande Bharat Station Improvement Scheme, has apparently raised eyebrows of many.

“Complete removal of the flooring which is in a good condition for executing the scheme amounts to wasting taxpayers money. It is tantamount to extravagance,” Coimbatore MP P.R. Natarajan said.

Withdrawing the benefits given to senior citizens, purportedly for saving money, on the one hand and indulging in such “wasteful expenditure” defies reason, Mr. Natarajan said.

The flooring of the premises was strengthened with reinforced concrete only six months back, he said, calling for intervention by the Railways. The MP also demanded a proper investigation into the removal of the concrete flooring by the Railway engineering department.

It has come to light that a portion of the concrete flooring laid last year on the eastern side is being removed for landscaping purpose, under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme.

Welcoming the move by the Railways to have new entrances on Eastern side (Power house road) and the Western side (from Mettupalayam road) to the Coimbatore North Railway station, R. Jayaraj, Member, Zonal Railway Users’ Consultative Committee said the extent of the concrete surface being dug up for gardening must be restricted keeping in mind the future requirements for parking of vehicles and easy movement of vehicles.