Discomfort Underground

When the heatwave is on in Kolkata and the humidity count on the higher side, the air-coolers in the city's Metro Railway stations are off. In the stretch between Netaji Bhavan and Central, covering seven stations, the air coolers of only two stations, namely, Maidan and Esplanade seem to function properly, reducing the comfort factor that one happens to attach to the city's underground railway system. Adding to the discomfort level inside the compartments are some of the fans, which move but with the least effect. There is no reason why such otherwise petty mechanical snags cannot be promptly repaired.