Until a week ago, the small square-shaped room at the entrance of the Perambur railway station would be crowded with commuters round the clock. They would wait patiently to learn about the arrival and departure of their train. Now, this room, which belongs to the station manager, is unbelievably quiet. Because, Southern Railway has introduced digital coach indication display boards at the station. Now, all information including time of arrival and departure of trains, both long-distance and suburban, train and platform numbers is accessible on these digital boards.
The coach indication boards have the name of the coach with the name of the train and the platform where it would be halted. Digital boards have been erected in all the four platforms, near the foot over bridge (FOB), which connect platform one and four. In addition, a large common display board containing details of trains that pass through the station have also been installed at the main entrance of the station.
“Unlike other stations on the west line of the rail network, Perambur has many commuters who board trains from the station. Such facilities are of great help,” said K. Sukumar, a resident of Perambur.
Unlike those other facilities that were executed under Southern Railway’s Improvement of Passengers Amenities Scheme, the new facilities including coach indication boards have been implemented under the Prime Minister’s Rs. one crore scheme and completed in two months. “Several facilities including extension of two platforms, additional entrances on both ends of the station, parking lots, shelters on the platforms and lightings have been provided,” said station manager S. Murugadoss.
