Employees work on the new computerised reservation system at Kandra station on Tuesday. Telegraph picture

Bereft of even basic amenities, the first step to alleviate commuter woes was taken at Kandra railway station on Tuesday with the inauguration of a computerised reservation facility.

The railway station, situated around 20km from Jamshedpur, is the only station in the Gamharia and Seraikela industrial belt where express trains stop.

The area boasts of several large scale industrial units like Neelanchal Iron and Steel, Adhunik Power and Natural Resources Limited, Adhunik Alloys and Power Limited and Kohinoor Steel Limited.

The station witnesses a footfall of 2,000 to 3,000 everyday as two important express trains linking the state to Bihar — Tata Patna South Bihar Express and Tata Katihar Chhapra Link Express — halt at the station in addition to more than six passenger trains.

The Kandra railway station development plans was virtually on hold for the last two decades after the closure of the Seraikela Glass Factory (SGF), recognised as one of the best glass manufacturing units in the country.

At present, Kandra railway station does not even have drinking water facilities or lighting on any of the four platforms. Apart from a tiny shed at platform number one, none of the other platforms have any shade. Neither are there any toilets.

Residents of nearly 25 villages and industrial workers had been agitating for long for better facilities at the station.

Speaking to the Telegraph, divisional railway manager of Chakradharpur, Achal Khare said the railways had chalked out a long-term plan for upgrading facilities at Kandra railway station.

“We will be starting water kiosks and construction of shades and lavatory at the platforms this fiscal. However, long term issues like raising of platforms would be done in due course,” he said.