Orissa HC judge gets off train mid-journey over dead-rodent smell

Bhubaneswar: One can easily get a picture of the state of affairs as far as sanitation in long distance trains is concerned from the fact that an acting judge of Orissa High Court had to disembark from Konark Express at Berhampur railway station on Friday over foul smell of a dead rodent inside his compartment.

The judge Biswanath Rath along with other passengers travelling in the express train to Visakhapatnam faced severe inconvenience due to the pungent smell.

Rath had boarded the Konark Express from Bhubaneswar railway station and was on his way to Vishakhapatnam on some official work along with his personal security officer (PSO).

The judge of the Orissa High Court reportedly lodged a complaint in the passenger grievance register.

In his complaint, Rath claimed that, “Due to the smell, I faced difficulties in breathing. Besides, there were three to four live rats moving inside the bogie.”

Rath in his complaint also mentioned about garbage being littered at several points inside A1 coach.

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Meanwhile, the incident has again brought to fore the poor sanitation inside various long distance trains managed by the East Coast Railways and other zones in the country.

“Instead of bringing Bullet Trains, the railways and the government of India should focus more on improving sanitation and other basic issues relating to safety and better travelling conditions for passengers,” said Ramesh Chandra Das, a passenger.

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Meanwhile, the railways in its clarification have admitted the lapses in sanitation measures and informed that steps have been taken for cleaning and removal of rodents.

Besides, the authorities have also assured of action against the errant employees.