Thrust on passenger amenities in Mysore division

23 automatic ticket vending machines to be installed

May 07, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:55 am IST - Mysuru:

The Mysore Division of South Western Railway has received Rs. 32 crore for improving passenger amenities during the currentfinancial year.— Photo: M.A. Sriram

The Mysore Division of South Western Railway has received Rs. 32 crore for improving passenger amenities during the currentfinancial year.— Photo: M.A. Sriram

The Mysore Division of the South Western Railway has received Rs. 32 crore towards improving passenger amenities during the current financial year.

This is more than double the amount allocated during the previous years, and is a reflection of the Railway’s emphasis on enhancing passenger amenities that have come under flak from the public.

Senior officials in the South Western Railway told The Hindu that some of the pending projects that are limping due to paucity of funds could be expedited. “While SWR received Rs. 90 crore, the Mysore Division has been allocated Rs. 32 crore”, said the officials.

Enhancement in allocation for passenger amenities has been described as timely as the Railways has suffered a setback of sorts in terms of passengers carried during the last financial year. Though the Division’s originating passenger earnings increased from Rs. 196.12 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 222.64 crore during 2014-15, the number of passengers carried was 5.22 crore during in 2014-15 as against 5.39 crore passengers during 2013-14, a decline of nearly 3.19 per cent. With the thrust on passenger comfort, the authorities hope to reverse the trend.

Among the major amenities in store for the division is the much-delayed automatic ticket vending machines which will eliminate the need for passengers to stand in lengthy queues. Though it was initially mooted about 4 or 5 years ago, a final decision was taken two years ago. The Mysore Division is set to get about 23 such machines of which 5 or 6 is for the city railway station.

“The ATVM procurements have been finalised and the process is over and only distribution and installation needs to be done”, said the official.

The other stations where the smartcard-based ATVMs will be installed include Davangere, Shivamogga, Arsikere, Hassan, Birur, Harihar, Haveri and Bhadravathi in the Mysor0e division. Likewise, the city station would have an escalator that again is a long-awaited facility announced a few years ago.

“Though the procurement and installation will be done by the Railway Board directly, the payment will be paid out of the funds released for the division”, the official added.

Facilities planned

Installation of water coolers, uninterrupted power supply for stations, unreserved ticketing system and passenger reservation system at 27 places, enhancement of parking facility at 16 stations, queue management system at various stations are a few initiatives that have already been implemented across the division.

23 automatic ticket vending machines to be installed

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