Major Thrust on Passenger Amenities and Cleanliness

The Minister of Railways Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal has announced several measures taken/proposed to be taken for improving passengers' travel experience in the Railway Budget for year 2013-14.

The minister has proposed identification of 104 stations, serving a population of more than one million or those serving places of religious/tourist importance for immediate attention to all aspects related to cleanliness and progressive extension of bio-toilets on trains.

The minister also proposed provision of concrete aprons on platforms with mechanized cleaning facilities and 200 stations have already been covered under this. The On Board Housekeeping Scheme (OBHS) and Clean Trains Stations (VTSs) will be extended to more stations and trains. The unreserved Ticketing System (UTS), Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), Coin-operated Ticket Vending Machines (CO-TVMs) and scheme of Jan-Sadharan Ticket Booking Sevaks (JTBSs) will be extended.

A pilot project will be launched on select trains to facilitate passengers to contact on-board staff through SMS/phone call/e-mail for prompt response for coach cleanliness and also to provide real time feedback.

8-10 more mechanized laundries will be set up for quality washing of linen. Provision will be made for announcement facility and electronic display boards in trains for disseminating information to on-board passengers about approaching stations, train running, arrival platforms, etc.

The minister also proposed upgrading another 60 stations as Adarsh Stations in addition to 980 already selected and associate voluntary organizations for providing first aid services etc. at railway stations.

Source : Equity Bulls

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