Passengers rush to board a train at a station in Bihar. Telegraph picture

Patna, May 19: Quite often passengers miss their train owing to a change in its designated platform number at the last minute. But things are about to change, as was said by L.M. Jha, the divisional railway manager (DRM), Danapur division of East Central Railway yesterday.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Jha said: “I have heard about this problem. The passengers have to face a lot of trouble when the arrival and departure of any train is changed from one platform to another at the last minute. Mostly, senior citizens, aged passengers and patients have to bear the brunt. I have taken up the matter in the serious consideration and from tomorrow onwards, if any train changes its platform at the last minute, it will have to make a halt of at least half-an-hour so that the passengers would get time to board the train.”

He said: “I will also make sure the train does not change its platform. If It does happen, then it has be on the rarest of rare occasion and the senior divisional commercial manager will have to provide in writing a detailed report of the reason for changing the platform.”

When The Telegraph asked Jha about unnecessary stoppage of trains between platforms, which sometimes result in robberies during the night, he said: “You can take my word that no train will stop between platforms at night unless it is a genuine halt.

“The train will not be allowed to stop unless it reaches its station during night.”

Jha also expressed disappointment over the maintenance of Patna Junction and said: “I am aware that there are problems in terms of making Patna Junction a model station.

“Cleanliness and security of the passengers is the top priority and I have decided to do surprise inspections to check the reality. We have a special mission regarding changing the infrastructure of the railway under Danapur division.”

Asked about the bad condition of the public toilets, Jha said: “I understand that the passengers are facing problems and the railways will see what kind of changes are required to provide better facility for the passengers.”