One of the busiest transport hubs in the country, Lahore Railway Station is facing a severe sanitation crisis. Passengers are frustrated with the unhygienic conditions, foul smells, and frequent train delays at the station.
Passengers arriving at the station face overflowing sewage, stagnant dirty water, and an unpleasant smell spreading across the area. Reportedly, the drainage is blocked, causing wastewater to accumulate along the railway tracks. Travelers carrying luggage are forced to face these unsanitary conditions before boarding their trains.
In addition to the sanitation issues, passengers continue to face delays in train departures. Many passengers have to wait for long hours in uncomfortable conditions, despite paying high fares.
Passengers also complained that the station’s washrooms are in an unusable condition. Toilets remain blocked, taps are broken, and many washrooms lack a proper water supply.
Additionally, travelers said the strong smell from stagnant sewage water makes it difficult to breathe while waiting for trains. They said trains arrive late, coaches are unhygienic, stagnant sewage water emits a constant foul smell, and station facilities fail to meet even basic cleanliness standards. They also criticised the poor quality and high prices of food and beverages sold at the station.
Moreover, sanitation workers told reporters that they had not received salaries for several months. They alleged that senior officials were aware of the situation but had failed to address it.
However, a Railway Officer stated that the Lahore Railway Station is more than 100 years old, and was operating under an ageing drainage system that occasionally becomes blocked during heavy rainfall and is cleared immediately. According to the official, sanitation work is carried out every night after trains leave.
Read more: Pakistan Railways to restore Babu Passenger, Sandal Express