LUCKNOW: From dedicated breastfeeding compartments in trains to a passenger library at Kanpur Central and new direct train services to major metros, Members of Parliament (MPs) and their representatives put forward a slew of passenger centric proposals at a meeting with North Central Railway (NCR) general manager Naresh Pal Singh on Friday.Among the prominent demands, the representative of Kannauj MP and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav sought direct train connectivity from the Mainpuri and Kanpur region to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Bengaluru.The representative also urged the Railways to rename Phaphund railway station in Auraiya district and Daud Khan station near Aligarh Junction.Rajya Sabha MP Geeta Shakya proposed dedicated breastfeeding compartments in trains along with breastfeeding facilities at major railway stations to improve travel for women with infants.Kanpur MP Ramesh Awasthi suggested setting up a passenger library at Kanpur Central using funds from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme.The meeting, chaired by Aligarh MP Satish Kumar Gautam, was attended by seven MPs and 15 representatives from constituencies served by Prayagraj Division. Deputy general manager (general) Atul Kumar Mishra conducted the proceedings.Demand to change names of Phaphund and Daud Khan stations were also kept by MPs.Hathras MP Anup Pradhan Balmiki proposed bringing Hathras Junction under NCR and Hathras City under North Eastern Railway into a single railway zone to improve operational coordination.A representative of Phulpur MP Praveen Patel also sought transfer of Naini, Prayag, Phaphamau and Rambagh stations entirely under NCR to facilitate management during the Maha Kumbh and Magh Mela.Fatehpur MP Naresh Uttam Patel demanded a parcel office at Fatehpur station, while Etawah MP Jitendra Kumar Dohre sought faster modernisation of Etawah station with lifts and escalators. Railway officials said the upgradation work is already in progress.General manager Naresh Pal Singh also announced that train 01705/06 Jabalpur Ayodhya Dham Special would now halt at Dabhaura station, accepting a demand raised by Rewa MP Janardan Mishra.He said all suggestions made during the meeting would be examined and acted upon in accordance with Railway rules.
