Despite repeated assurances to streamline passenger movement and curb illegal activities, little has changed on the ground at Nagpur Railway Station, where commuters continue to face alleged harassment and overcharging by unauthorised auto-rickshaw operators.
Passengers claim the absence of visible personnel from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has allowed the problem to persist unchecked.
“Does the railway station even have a protection force? If the GRP is deployed here, where are they? Why are they drawing salaries if passengers are left to fend for themselves?” questioned a frustrated commuter after allegedly being harassed and overcharged by auto-rickshaw drivers outside Platform No. 1.
A similar situation prevails on the eastern side of the station. Passengers alighting from trains allege they are aggressively approached by auto-rickshaw operators from the platforms and station porch to the circulating area and station approach road. Many commuters say they are repeatedly pressured to hire autos at inflated fares.
The problem has also affected app-based cab services. Several passengers said they are forced to walk nearly 500 metres outside the station premises to book a cab, as many app-based taxi drivers reportedly avoid entering the station due to the presence of aggressive auto-rickshaw operators.
Unauthorised solicitation is also reported on the station’s foot overbridges (FOBs), where passengers, particularly those arriving on long-distance trains, are allegedly targeted throughout the day. “Auto drivers openly approach passengers the moment they step off trains, and there is hardly any intervention,” a woman passenger said.
Ajni Railway Station is witnessing a similar situation, with passengers alleging that the lack of visible enforcement by the GRP and RPF has enabled unauthorised auto-rickshaw operators to dominate areas from the platforms to the station exits. Women, senior citizens and families are among those who reportedly face harassment, overcharging and intimidation despite repeated complaints.
Acknowledging the issue, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner Manoj Kumar of the Railway Protection Force, Nagpur Division, Central Railway, said the RPF has taken up the matter with the Traffic Police. He confirmed that a joint enforcement drive is being planned against unauthorised auto-rickshaw operations within railway premises to restore order and improve passenger safety at Nagpur and Ajni railway stations.
Officials said the proposed drive will focus on coordinated patrolling, removal of unauthorised operators from sensitive areas and sustained enforcement to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and ensure a safer experience for commuters.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com