For decades, railway porters—known as “coolie”—have been the invisible backbone of railway stations, carrying the luggage of passengers’ without ever receiving the dignity of basic rest facilities. Despite their indispensable role in assisting travellers, many porters continue to work in harsh conditions without access to a designated rest room or adequate welfare infrastructure.At one of the region’s busiest railway stations, the absence of a proper rest facility has become a glaring symbol of administrative neglect. Porters, who spend long hours on platforms under scorching heat, heavy rain and biting winter cold, are forced to sit on staircases, under tin sheds, or in open corridors between assignments. With no dedicated room to rest, store belongings, or even access to drinking water and sanitation facilities, their working conditions remain far from humane.According to several porters at the station, repeated verbal appeals have been made to authorities over the years. “We carry loads of up to 40–50 kilograms on our heads and shoulders. After hours of continuous work, we need a place to rest for a few minutes. But there is no room for us,” said one senior porter who has been serving at the station for over two decades. Another worker added that during peak travel seasons and festival rush, they often work 12 to 14 hours a day without proper breaks.The irony, they point out, lies in the fact that stations have undergone significant modernisation in recent years. Platforms have been renovated, digital boards installed and passenger lounges upgraded. However, the basic needs of porters—who are officially licensed workers under the railway system—have remained overlooked. Many of them are registered workers who pay periodic fees and comply with railway regulations, yet they claim they have not received proportional welfare benefits.Social activists argue that the issue reflects a broader pattern of neglect toward informal and semi-formal labour within public infrastructure systems. “Porters are essential service providers. Without them, elderly passengers, women with children, and travellers with heavy luggage would struggle immensely. It is unfortunate that their welfare is not treated as a priority,” said a local labour rights advocate.Railway officials, when contacted, acknowledged the concern and stated that they would look into the matter. A senior station official remarked that space constraints and administrative approvals have delayed the provision of a separate rest facility but assured that the issue would be examined. However, no clear timeline has been announced for action.The lack of rest facilities not only affects the physical well-being of the porters but also impacts their morale and dignity. Many of them come from economically weaker backgrounds and rely entirely on daily earnings from passengers. With no fixed salary and income dependent on fluctuating footfall, their livelihood remains uncertain. In such circumstances, the absence of even a modest resting space further compounds their challenges.Providing a small, well-ventilated rest room with basic amenities would not require massive expenditure, yet it would significantly enhance the dignity and working conditions of those who tirelessly support millions of railway passengers every day. The continued denial of this basic facility raises pressing questions: In the march toward progress, are the hands that carry the nation’s burdens being forgotten?