The railway station is a very important place in
every city. Here one can find people from all sections of the society and all
parts of the country. It definitely presents a highly colorful scene. The rich
and the poor both can be seen in great hurry at the railway station. It is full
of hustle and bustle. The big railway stations like Lahore and Karachi are full
of great rush all the twenty four hours. People belonging to all castes, colors
creeds and religions mingle freely on a railway station.
Last Sunday I went to the Wazirabad Junction
Railway Station to see off my uncle who was going to Karachi. We took a taxi
and reached the station at 9.15 p.m. The Khyber Mail which goes to Karachi was
to leave at 9.55 p.m. Therefore, we were well in time. Many taxis and scooter
rickshaws were standing in systemic way outside the railway station. There were
many traffic policemen to guide the incoming and out-going vehicles. There was
a great rush of passengers. Some were coming out as they had just arrived and
were planning to go to their destinations, while others were hurrying to catch
the train, as they were leaving the city for out station. We also met hundreds
of coolies who were waiting for the passengers to carry their luggage to the
compartments.
At the booking window also there was a great rush.
All passengers were standing in long queues in front of the windows to purchase
the railway tickets. Some policemen were also standing there to maintain order
and keep an eye on anti-social elements like the pick-pockets and confidence
tricksters. Many people were waiting outside the inquiry office to get certain
information regarding the arrival and departure of trains. I hurriedly
purchased a ticket for Karachi for my uncle and a platform ticket for myself.
The coolie was carrying our luggage and reached Platform No. 12 from where the
train was to leave.
As we tried to enter the gate a Railway Ticket
Checker who was wearing a white uniform checked and punched our tickets. There
was a great crowd at the platforms. All passengers seemed to be in a hurry.
There were so many stalls on the platforms. Some were selling light
refreshments, while others sold latest magazines. Newspapers, books etc. and
some were selling fruit. The hawkers were also moving up and down the platforms
selling their goods
We went to a bookstall and my uncle purchased a few
magazines to read during the night journey. There were so many magazines on the
bookstall. On the platform we saw certain passengers waiting for their trains
impatiently, while others were sitting on their luggage patiently. Some
passengers were simply running about with anxious faces as they had not as yet
got their reservations.
Some trains were waiting for the signals to move
out of the platforms, While after every few minutes a train was steaming in. passengers
going and out of the station in their colorful
dresses it looked as if it was a big fair. The trains which were leaving
were fully packed and there was no room even for standing in the compartments.
There were many emotional scenes which one could
see on the platforms. Some persons had come to see off their dear and near
persons. Some had come to receive their relatives. ‘When the train moved out of
the platform one could see many hands waving good bye to their friends and
relatives.
Ultimately the Khyber Mail bound for Karachi also
arrived on the platform. With great difficulty my uncle could get a seat. The
train was fully packed. The passengers were pushing one another to enter the compartments
first. There was a lot of noise, as everybody wanted to get into the
compartment. Within a few minutes the train was fully packed. After sometime
the guard whistled and also waved a green flag. Slowly the train started moving
out and soon it picked up speed and was out of sight. The station now looked
somewhat deserted. I came out, caught a bus and reached my home at 11 p.m.