Platform Fixing: A New Trend Reported In Bihar Bribing Railway Officials To Change Platforms
Courtesy: India Today, One India�I Image Credit: India Today
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We are all familiar with the term match-fixing in cricket, but not many have heard about ‘platform fixing’. It may sound bizarre but is an emerging trend reported from Bihar.


What is Platform fixing?

Platform fixing is nothing but vendors bribing railway officials to get platform changed for incoming trains. East Central Railways (ECR) has accessed some recordings, reports India Today. The audio clip of the vendors and railway station at the Muzaffarpur railway station went viral.

“We have got audio clips and evidence, which suggested that vendors, in order to increase their sale, were bribing railways officials to change the platform of an incoming train at the last minute. Prima facie, the complaint that we received was found to be correct. We are investigating the matter. In the audio clipping, there is a conversation regarding changing the platform for Rs 100,” said Rajesh Kumar, Chief Public Relation Officer, East Central Railway zone.

The Investigation

Railways cannot change the platforms of trains as it is pre-fixed. But, the investigation launched by the railways have found that some vendors bribed rail officials to change the pre-scheduled railway platforms. On the basis of the evidence, three officials at Muzaffarpur railway station have suspended. Rajesh Kumar said that the railway was investigating whether the incident was happening at any other stations in the state.

“We have taken action against three railways officials whose names cropped up in the audio clipping and suspended them. Few railway officials have also been transferred. The vigilance team of the railways is investigating the matter. Presently, we have evidence pertaining to Muzaffarpur railway station,” he added.

Railways have informed that any change of platform would require permission from the zonal headquarters. “To ensure that such things are not repeated, the station master will now have to get the permission of the zonal headquarters for changing the platform of any train. Details of why the platform was changed and under what circumstances will be documented from now on,” Rajesh Kumar said.

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Editor : Anoopa Sebastian Sebastian

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