दूरी नही मंज़िल भारी, साथ हो जब मेट्रो हमारी - Mushfique Khalid

*** DIWALI SPECIAL ***
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DIARY OF A RAILWAY JUNCTION
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Cast:
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A 100 year old major Railway Junction of an important city
> A Railfan boy aged 20
> Passengers, Trains and Station Staff in Supporting Roles and Guest Appearances
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Thanks to the encouragement and overwhelming response from all members and admins to my Pune Nizamuddin Duronto Blog, I have been encouraged and inspired to write yet another narrative from the point of view of a railway station. This narrative is not pertaining to any particular but just a railway station. The story narrates the birth of railway station and the growth and development from a mere small station to getting the Junction status and finally becoming Divisional HQ. It also reflects the daily routine of the day, full of happiness, sorrow, excitement and comedy. Enjoy the narrative.
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Time: 08.00 am. An enthusiastic, active and knowledgeable rail-enthusiast goes to a railway station for some morning railfanning. He parks his bike in the 2-Wheeler parking lot and moves towards the main entrance of the station near PF-1. The moment he arrives in the outer area in front of the concourse hall opposite to the station facade, he suddenly has a feeling of fantasy. The station surroundings suddenly seem lively. All the so-called non-living things around seem to have physical attributes of a living person. They have face, eyes, nose, mouth, hands and feet. He is amazed to see everything having “life” in it. It is akin to a case of Alice in Wonderland.
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He looks above at the station clock on the outer facade. The moment he sees up, he is taken aback. The station building is lively too!! He sees a 100 year old person with a long white beard and a robe. He smiles at the boy and welcomes him. The Mr. Station comes down and escorts the boy by holding his hand onto an empty bench at the end of PF-1 near station board. The boy now is completely out of senses. Station offers him a chilled bottle of RAIL NEER to calm his nerves. After the boy finishes drinking water, the station tells him - “My child, you are my regular guest. I know how much you like me; I like you as well. Would you like to know my story?”. The boy nods and replies in affirmative.
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The station begins his narration -
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Circa 1913
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“I was born 100 years ago, during the British Raj. There was moderate development here in this city. But the Britishers had good vision, they decided to construct a full-fledged station here, considering the potential for growth of the city in future. Slowly, I started taking shape, first railways earmarked a huge area for my development, then they flattened the surface and built 3 platforms. The building came up, a cute beautiful British styled colonial structure. They built a flower bed outside and planted some trees and shrubs, just for a pleasant feel. This is how I was born. I waited for 4 more months since my birth to welcome a train, becuase the other stations along the route were yet to be born. Finally the train came in, a WP class steam locomotive with brick coloured Vacuum brake coaches, Oh so Indian!! I used to love those magnificent steam engines, looked so exquisite when they would let out a friendly toot of steam!! Passengers, traders, vendors, etc. used to stay for long hours and I loved their Company.
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Circa 1930
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“Its 1930, and much development has taken place. The large village has now transformed into a small town, a very active trading place. The population has increased manifold, there are schools, colleges, banks, markets, etc. The town is now an important center for people of the surrounding villages. More railway lines were laid around and an equl number of trains were added. From a small sleepy station, I became a more busy with trains coming more frequently now. My 3 platforms were proving to be just enough and I badly needed more platforms considering the potential I had for growth... I was hopeful...
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Circa 1947
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Its 15th August 1947, I woke up and saw the sunrise, the 1st sunrise of Independent and Free India!! I had tears in my eyes, tears of joy. Today, is a day of celebration. There are songs being played on the loudspeaker, I have been decorated with flowers and garlands and confetti. The SM, Police and other station staff unfurled the Tirangaa. I gave a salute with my head held high. What a proud moment it has been for me!!”
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Circa 1960
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“Its been more than a decade since India has achieved Independence and the winds of development are blowing everywhere. The town has become even bigger and I had a back-breaking burden on me. My 3 platforms were inadequate given the number of trains that passed through me and the footfalls of passengers round the clock meant I couldn’t sleep peacefully. I was bursting at seams now, thankfully, our divisional officers made a proposal to the zone for my further development as a terminal with more platforms. The zonal officers readily accepted the proposal (God Bless them!) and a comprehensive plan for my development was made!! I was overwhelmed!! They had decided to exploit the huge land bank that lay on my sides for development. It was decided that my platforms be doubled!! Wow!! I was now going to be an important station en route!! There were plans to lay 3 new lines from my ends, which meant that I would be a junction soon!! I couldn’t believe it!! They also decided to make a huge goods and marshalling yard nearby to facilitate better management of trains and handling of freight!!
The proposal got approval from the higher ranks and soon, an injection of funds was given generously. The officers now giving concrete shape to the plan, tenders were floated, passed, contracts awarded. A never before transformation took place. Within 6 months, My platforms were double the size and the work of laying lines was going on a war footing. A goods shed was coming up at southern end. Life was continuing as usual, I was expanding from all sides...
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Circa 1969-1971
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The lines have been laid and the moment finally arrived. I was now a junction!! My happiness knew no bounds, I was feeling as if I was in 7th heaven!! The old boards were uprooted and fresh new cement-concrete boards were erected with Junction as a suffix to my name!! It was a feeling I cannot describe in words. A few months later, given my importance in the region, it was decided at a Diesel Loco Shed be constructed at my outer towards north end. In 1971, I welcomed a fresh batch of WDM series Alcos to me, how proudly these diesel monsters carried our Zonal code and my station code on either sides!! It was a case of neighbour’s envy, owner’s pride!!
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Circa 1975-81
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The emergency is over, a fresh govt. has taken charge with ambitious vision for development. I am already an important junction now and people from nearby towns and villages coming to me and using me exhaustively as a transit/changeover point. During this, a very important decision was taken - Electrification. I thank my stars I was situated on a very important trunk route and considering the importance of the trunk route to the nation for passenger and freight movement, it was decided that the entire Trunk route be electrified. I used to read news in newspaper regularly about the electrification progress. The electrification began in December 1975 and it was almost February 1978 that the process came upto me. A huge number of OHE Poles and Gantries were brought, workers were toiling hard day and night. In June 1979, the wiring was complete. I was ready to go live now!! But alas, we need to wait for all good things. It was decided to make the entire route live at one go, so the wait to go live was longer...
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In March 1981, the process of laying OHE poles and wiring was complete all along the route. At exactly 10.00 am on 15th March 1981, the entire route was made live!! I felt jitters and goosebumps all over my body as 2.5 kW electricity current surged through the wires!! The atmosphere was truly electrifying!!
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Circa 1983
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A double whammy year as far as celebration is concerned - First - India had won the Cricket World Cup for the first time, Kapil’s boys did the nation proud. I danced and sang in joy!! Second - The Railway Board had ordered that an Electric Loco Shed be constructed!! The news spread like wild fire. I pinched myself twice and cleared my ears on listening that news. Was this a dream? Not at all!! Within a fortnight of RB’s orders, a tender was floated for construction of ELS at North Eastern end. The shed was finally built in 10 months. It was January 1984, a new year, an year of new beginning. RB had allotted me WAM-4 and WAP-1 series of locos!! Ohhhh this is ecstacy I exclaimed!!
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Circa 1991-92
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A double whammy year for me again. Considering my importance and amount of trains I handled daily, it was time for cosmetic surgery. Our zone had decided to give me a facelift again. 4 new platforms were added, a garden was built on PF-10 and even the other platforms were adorned with cute little flowering shrubs. The PF sheds were extended, retiring rooms and lounges built on 1st floor. The facade was repainted and a new Annexe-2 building was being built for entrance from PF-10 side. Never in my life I had felt so beautiful. By the time the work was over, I had transformed into a huge junction. But there was good news still to come... In 1992, RB had re-organized a few zones and divisions and I was made a Divisional HQ!!
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A new building came up for housing the Divisional HQ staff which was inaugurated in the Diwali of 1992. It was truly Diwali for me!!
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Circa 1995
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It is precisely 1st March 1995. Exactly 26 years ago, a new species of trains called Rajdhani Express had already started burning the tracks. These fully AC trains had revolutionized train travel in India.
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Today, history will be recreated. Yes - The first Rajdhani on our trunk route will run with electric locos from my shed!! The entire PF-10 (called VIP PF) has been decorated like a newly wed bride. There is a band playing trumpets and drums, to welcome the arrival of first Rajdhani. The clock strikes 14.30. There it comes!! WAP-1 monster in matching ICF Rajdhani livery makes a grand entry onto PF-1. The entire station gives a rousing welcome followed by a thundering applause!! I smile and wave at the train.. All top officials of our division are present on the spot. The LPs are felicitated and at 14.50, the trains bids goodbye only to return again... The day would be etched in the annals of my history with golden words...
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Circa 2000
New Millennium, New Beginnings, New Dreams, New Hopes - The year started on a positive note with RM announcing a Shatabdi between me and my counterpart - another important junction in our neighbouring state. Our zone, one of the best immediately procured 1 rake with some 3 spare coaches for the run. On August 15th, one of the most successful Shatabdi was flagged off and my cap was adorned with yet another feather.
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Circa 2010
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I call 2010 the year of Duronto for me - After all categories of trains, just one Final Frontier remained - Duronto. RM Didi gave me 3 Durontos in a single budget, 1 daily to a nearby large town, 1 triweekly to a faraway metro city and a triweekly to our National Capital.
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Circa 2013
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The boy regains his senses - He is in present world, the usual hustle and bustle is prevalent everywhere... Mr. Station is just beside him.. The long narration has taken nearly 5 hrs and its lunch time. The station senses that the boy is hungry. He has already ordered food from Food Plaza. The boy eats to his content. This is followed by two huge scoops of ice-cream. After a while, the station asks him “So my child, are you ready for a tour? I will take you around...”
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Mr. Station and the boy go out to explore. They arrive the the facade first, to the left is a one storied huge Reservation Centre. There is hustle and bustle over there, serpentine queues spread across 30 windows to book tickets. If this was not enough, people have already started making a queue for next day Tatkal. A significant number of people are in the Current Reservation counter as well. They both now come inside the main concourse hall, where a few people have their eyes lined up towards display boards. A few people have squatted there itself which has resulted in somewhat chaotic situation. They turn left towards the end of PF-1 where there is cloak room and parcel office. Loads and loads of stuff, boxes, cans, flowers, etc. are kept on hand carts waiting to be loaded. There is a fleet of motor bikes as well, all placed haphazardly causing inconvenience to all present. Somehow they manage to reach PF-2/3. A few people are sleeping on the PF, a few are washing themselves at the end. There are stains of PAAN on the PF.. Mr. Station now looks depressed on seeing this state.. They continue to explore the station, when there is a strong stench. A train had just left and passengers has defecated on the tracks. The agony and pain is now visible on Station’s face. At PF-10 end near outer, there lies an area just below the overpass, which is hidden from the rest of the world. Anti-social elements thrive here and operate a gambling den. The station continues its talk “I've had my share of highs, but where there are highs, lows have to be there.. This is the way of life”. The boy is deeply moved on hearing station’s agony and plight. He has already lost his appetite for RF now. At the end of PF-1, there are a couple of RF guys waiting to shoot their favourite train, just when one RPF mama blows a whistle and moves towards them for interrogation. Seeing him arrive, they quickly climb over the wall and flee off... This sight amuses both the boy and the Station and tears of sorrow now become tears of joy. Continuing their exploration and deeply engrossed, the time flies by and now its 17.30. The station takes the boy to a govt. dairy parlour and they both have a chilled LASSI. The boy is now amazed, surprised, excited over the day’s happenings gives a warm hug to the station for the wonderful host that he’s been. He moves out towards the parking lot, starts his bike and zips off on the street, when he suddenly stops in front of a music store. A popular song from 1974 Rajesh Khanna starrer Aap Ki Kasam is playing...
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Zindagi Ke Safar Me Guzar Jaate Hai Jo Makaam....
Woh, Fir Nahi Aate..... Woh, Fir Nahi Aate.........
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Listening these lines, the boys speeds away home while the Junction looks on towards the setting sun caught in the web of OHE Poles and Wires.....
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[Dear Readers, this was a completely different attempt at writing something fresh and out of the box, hope you've liked it. May be this could have been better, but I was short of time and writing this itself took me three weeks to think and pen it down. I've tried to give my best shot within the available resources. Thanks for patient reading, suggestions, criticisms and feedback are welcome. Thanks.]