Tue Dec 31 04:33:39 UTC 2024: ## Indian Railways Faces Backlash After Cold-Water Incident at Lucknow Station
**Lucknow, India –** A video circulating on social media has sparked outrage against Indian Railways after cleaning staff were filmed spraying cold water on sleeping passengers at Lucknow’s Charbagh railway station during a cold wave. The incident, which reportedly occurred last week, shows passengers on platforms 8 and 9 being roused from their sleep and forced to gather their belongings as staff cleaned the area.
The video has ignited a firestorm of criticism online, with many users condemning the staff’s lack of sensitivity towards the passengers, many of whom appeared to be impoverished and simply waiting for delayed trains. Several commenters highlighted the extreme cold and questioned where passengers with late trains should go if waiting rooms are full.
“Heartbreaking,” wrote one user, pointing to widespread poverty and governmental failures. Another criticized the method of cleaning, saying, “The station needs cleaning, but not like this, especially in such biting cold. No consideration even for small kids!”
While some users agreed that the platforms are not appropriate sleeping areas and should be kept clear, the majority expressed anger at the treatment of the passengers. One user commented, “Railway platform is not a place for lodging. If you have a ticket, use waiting rooms or wait outside.”
In response to the mounting controversy, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Lucknow office issued a statement. The DRM stated that the cleaning staff involved had been reprimanded and advised passengers to utilize the station’s waiting halls, dormitories, and retiring rooms instead of sleeping on the platforms. The statement also urged passengers to avoid sleeping on the platforms. The incident continues to fuel debate about the treatment of impoverished passengers within India’s extensive railway system.
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