Machines to replace food stalls at Railway stations? See what is coming soon

The Ministry of Railways recently released a circular issuing the installation of required amenities in suburban railways. These amenities include one-third urinals and toilets for women alone, modular eatables vending machines to replace catering stalls and electronic coach indicators at platforms to name a few. This comes at a time when the railways have been receiving complaints from women about inadequate toilets at stations.

The amenities fall under the minimum essential amenities (or basic amenities) required at 507 suburban stations in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata. From the four metro cities, there are 35 stations that cater to 30 million passengers; 74 stations cater to between 10 million and 30 million passengers; 398 stations cater to less than 10 million passengers, who will avail these facilities.

Passengers with disabilities, too, will be given special provision at stations like ramps, two parking spaces, water drinking tap and suitable toilets.

The order has also called for demolition of food stalls and replace them by modular food-vending machines or single food stalls at the end of the platforms. Foot overbridges (FOB) are also being widened to a minimum of 6 meters. Recently, the Indian Army had widened three FOBs in Mumbai — Currey Road, Ambivili and Elphinstone Road, under the same order.

Meanwhile, the report has also asked the authorities to shut all unauthorised entry/exit points at stations. Boundary walls of 17.5 kms are being built for the same and separate entry/exit gates have been proposed. “The railways should also look at providing more water vending machines at stations,” said Subhash Gupta, president, Rail Yatri Sangh.

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The report has stated the need for more water vending machines, ATVMs, ATMs, and other related facilities to smoothen operations. Circulating areas will be landscaped and widened in order to decongest the stations.

Already a number of works, namely — cover over platform, raising platform heights, FOBs, are underway and are scheduled to be completed by 2019.

By Shashank Rao, DNA India