Modi government’s ‘U-turn’ in escalator facility in railway station
Saturday - June 16, 2018 12:07 pm ,
Category : WTN SPECIAL
Passengers comfort is more important than revenue
JUNE 16 (WTN) - As you know, Railways used to talk about facilitating escalator at the maximum railway station in the country. And due to this, escalators were used on many stations. But now there has been a change in the criteria for installing escalator at the railway station. Following the instructions from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Railways have changed its decision to provide escalator facility to as many stations as possible. Now there will be facility of escalator at the same stations where passengers' movement is at least one lakh, whereas earlier this limit was fixed at 25,000.
For your information, let you know that the Railways had announced the placement of about 2,500 escalators across the country for the convenience of elderly and physically challenged people and travelers. It is believed that on applying an escalator, the cost of the railway comes to one crore rupees. Railways estimated that cost scale would be reduced due to large scale scattering.
According to the information, first more stations were selected for implementing the provision of the escalator for the 25,000 passenger traffic stations. Earlier, there was provision for this facility at eight crore to 60 crore annual revenue stations. In a review conducted in April under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the plan to install escalator on large scale was not considered beneficial an only to be installed on crowded stations only.
Although implementing the escalator in state capitals and zonal level stations, can be said exceptions. But to install escalator so there should be announced by the Prime Minister or the Railway Minister. Apart from this, it can be arranged on the special demand of parliamentary committee or elected representative.
It is imperative to questioning on the government's decision. Because Railways should take care the convenience of elderly and disabled travelers rather than revenue. The railways can impose CESS on the railway ticket to install escalator in maximum railway station. Railways should also provide escalator facility at the district level station at least.
JUNE 16 (WTN) - As you know, Railways used to talk about facilitating escalator at the maximum railway station in the country. And due to this, escalators were used on many stations. But now there has been a change in the criteria for installing escalator at the railway station. Following the instructions from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Railways have changed its decision to provide escalator facility to as many stations as possible. Now there will be facility of escalator at the same stations where passengers' movement is at least one lakh, whereas earlier this limit was fixed at 25,000.
For your information, let you know that the Railways had announced the placement of about 2,500 escalators across the country for the convenience of elderly and physically challenged people and travelers. It is believed that on applying an escalator, the cost of the railway comes to one crore rupees. Railways estimated that cost scale would be reduced due to large scale scattering.
According to the information, first more stations were selected for implementing the provision of the escalator for the 25,000 passenger traffic stations. Earlier, there was provision for this facility at eight crore to 60 crore annual revenue stations. In a review conducted in April under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the plan to install escalator on large scale was not considered beneficial an only to be installed on crowded stations only.
Although implementing the escalator in state capitals and zonal level stations, can be said exceptions. But to install escalator so there should be announced by the Prime Minister or the Railway Minister. Apart from this, it can be arranged on the special demand of parliamentary committee or elected representative.
It is imperative to questioning on the government's decision. Because Railways should take care the convenience of elderly and disabled travelers rather than revenue. The railways can impose CESS on the railway ticket to install escalator in maximum railway station. Railways should also provide escalator facility at the district level station at least.
