By IANS
Patna : A surprise check of Patna station by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Tuesday had him shocked and angry – men were occupying a women-only railway coach and the platform and tracks were filthy.
During his half-hour inspection of the platform and some trains ready for departure, the railway minister stunned officials by checking the tickets of some passengers like a TTE (travelling ticket examiner).
Upon catching some male passengers in the women-only coach of a train, Lalu Prasad immediately ordered the officials to have them shifted and take action against them. He asked them to explain how the men had managed to enter the reserved coach. The officials failed to explain the lapse.
"The platforms are dirty and unhygienic, there is a clear lack of cleanliness. This is what I wanted to look into here," Lalu Prasad said soon after his visit.
He also asked passengers about any complaints they had. He closely watched the trains that crossed the station during the time he was there.
Commenting on a flurry of activity to get the station and tracks cleaned up while he was present, the railway minister said: "The clean-up started soon after my arrival. This in itself is indicative of the real situation."
He also inspected the lights, the missing fans and drinking water facilities.
He was accompanied by railway officials and leaders of his Rashtriya Janata Dal.