Built 132 yrs ago, railway quarters in a shambles

Crumbling structures, shortage of basic amenities compound woes of occupants

Railway quarters in a dilapidated condition at Dera Bassi. Photo by writer

Satinder Pal Singh

Dera Bassi, September 10

Constructed 132 years ago in 1885 for Class IV employees, gatekeeper and guards, the railway quarters, adjacent to the Ghaggar railway station, are in a dilapidated state. Dingy rooms, leaking roofs, broken doors and windows, rusty taps and stinking sanitary lines are common features in these quarters.

Due to this, the railway employees are forced to live in a deplorable condition without access to adequate drinking water, health care or education facilities.

Sources said the railways authorities deducted Rs 500-1,500 per month from their salary for the maintenance of the quarters.

The occupants face a major problem when it rains, resulting in leakage in roofs. Rainwater accumulates in these houses.

“During rainy days, we prefer to shift to a corner of a room to save our lives. Rain drops continue to drop from the ceiling even after it stops,” said a railway employee. Wild undergrowth has further deteriorated their condition.

These small two-room quarters were built in 1885 without any access to natural light, proper ventilation or the drainage facility. Kitchens and washrooms in these quarters have no permanent roof. These are covered with ordinary cement sheets.

As the dwelling units are in a dilapidated condition, some railway employees shifted to rented accommodations a year ago. Still, 15-20 families continued to stay there.

“I have been living in this house for the past 20 years. Snakes and other insects can be spotted frequently,” said an employee.

He said they had approached the higher authorities several times and apprised them of the danger to their lives due to the dilapidated condition of the quarters but they were sent back every time with fake assurances.

Dinesh Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager, said,“The safety of the employees is the foremost for us”. He said he would ask the officials concerned to take a stock of the situation soon.

The plight

These small two-room quarters were built in 1885 without any access to natural light, proper ventilation or the drainage facility. Kitchens and washrooms in these quarters have no permanent roof. 

As the dwelling units are in a dilapidated condition, some railway employees shifted to rented accommodations. Still, 15-20 families stay there.