Travellers are sore over poor passenger amenities at the railway station in Papanasam.
More than 20 train services have stoppage at this small station which contributes to the Southern Railway’s kitty substantially through sale of passenger tickets.
But, according to representatives of rail users, the station lacks several civic amenities.
Prime among them is the damaged platform which makes it difficult for passengers to board or alight from trains, particularly at night. Saravanan of Rail Users’ Association, Papanasam, said that absence of electronic coach position indicators, which were installed two years ago and subsequently removed, was causing inconvenience to passengers, particularly elders.
Stating that, on an average, around 800 passengers use this station daily, Mr. Saravanan said the loop line facility that existed when this section remained as metre gauge section had not been restored once the gauge conversion work was completed.
The monthly average income through sale of passenger tickets at this station where advance reservation facility was available, was around ₹8.50 lakh for the financial year 2016-17.
The income rose to ₹9.40 lakh in the subsequent year and for the 10 months ending January this fiscal, it was ₹10.50 lakh, he said. Therefore, rail users expect better maintenance of the station.
