Copper Pipe Theft Shuts ACs At Sabarmati Terminal For 4-5 Days, Passengers Left Sweating

Passengers and railway employees at Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Terminal (SBIB) have been facing severe discomfort for the past four to five days after the air-conditioning systems in the newly constructed main building stopped functioning.

The disruption has been attributed to the alleged theft of copper pipes connected to the AC system from the rooftop of the main building. Several air-conditioning units have reportedly stopped working after the pipes were cut and removed.

The shutdown has particularly affected passengers using the air-conditioned waiting room, where the lack of cooling has added to the discomfort. Railway employees working inside the building are also facing difficulties while carrying out their duties.

Copper Pipes Allegedly Stolen From Rooftop

According to information available, copper pipes forming part of the building's air-conditioning system were allegedly stolen from the top of the main structure. The pipes were reportedly cut and taken away, resulting in the failure of several AC units.

However, the railway administration has not yet issued an official clarification on the alleged theft or the reason for the prolonged shutdown.

Contractor Yet To Hand Over Building

The main building at Sabarmati Terminal is currently undergoing redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The contractor has not yet formally handed over the redeveloped facility to the Railways.

As a result, repair work following the AC failure has reportedly been delayed, further extending the inconvenience faced by passengers and staff.

The incident has also raised questions about the maintenance and security arrangements at the newly constructed facility.

Security Concerns Raised At Newly Built Facility

The redevelopment of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme involves significant investment in modern passenger infrastructure. The alleged theft of copper pipes from a newly constructed building has therefore raised concerns over security arrangements.

Despite the presence of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel, along with CCTV surveillance, questions have been raised over how the alleged theft occurred.

Passengers and railway employees have sought an investigation into the incident and urged the railway administration to clarify whether the AC shutdown was caused by the alleged theft or another technical issue. They have also called for proper maintenance and stronger security measures at the newly developed facility.