Vijaywada Divisional Railway Manager Ashok Kumar has said the Indian Railways is planning to install 200 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) for the convenience of passengers at the railway stations.
During the current financial year, 70 ATVMs were commissioned in 26 sub-urban stations and 112 machines were installed in 48 railway stations in South Central Railway (SCR) railway zone. In addition to the existing machines, plans are afoot to commission 200 more ATVMs at the identified ‘B’ and ‘D’ category stations, said Mr. Ashok Kumar.
As part of improving passenger amenities, railways had earmarked Rs.133.46 crore in 2015-16. Focus is being laid on providing more waiting halls, escalators and lifts, circulating areas, platform covers and other amenities. On Board Housekeeping Services (OBHS) have been provided in 36 pairs of trains and in 66 (long-distance) express trains.
Bio-toilets
As many as 171 bio-toilets have been provided in 54 coaches in the railway zone, comprising Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur, Guntakal and Nanded divisions. Indian Railways had so far provided 1,650 bio-toilets in 508 coaches in the zone this year, said the DRM.
Regarding performance of the zone, Mr. Ashok Kumar said that the SCR had made Rs.5,449.25 crore gross earnings from April to July, 2015, which was 10.72 per cent higher when compared to the same period last year.
Despite reduction in cement loading and fall in coal and iron ore imports from different ports, the zone registered 38.15 million tonnes of freight loading (up to July-end), which was 2.2 per cent higher over the corresponding period last year, the DRM added and appealed to the passengers to cooperate with the railway authorities in keeping the stations and trains hygienic.
