The Railways all over the country including Sambalpur division under the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has started the facility for the BPl card holders with Ijjat (prestigious) monthly season ticket (MST).
The people belonging to this category have started availing the facility in all the 63 stations of Sambalpur division since beginning of the current year at a nominal cost of only Rs 25 per month.
Sambalpur division has issued highest number of such tickets under ECoR touching nearly 5,000, informed divisional railway manager (DRM) of Sambalpur Ajay Pratap Singh in a Press conference here in the wake of the completion of the passengers’ fortnight.
With this MST, a passenger belonging to BPl category or weaker section can travel 150 km in a day in unreserved seat for his day to day work, he added.
Talking about the other amenities provided for the passengers and ladies in particular, DRM Singh said that CC TV cameras have been installed in Sambalpur and Titilagarh stations to control Dalals (brokers) manipulating passengers and those trying for Tatkal tickets during emergency.
He further informed that through secret camera, the Railways will also monitor cleaning and sanitations in stations and trains. At the same time, it would also be helpful in keeping watch over the eve teasers, the DRM said further.
During the passengers’ fortnight, reservation booking facilities have been opened at Sambalpur city, Junagarh road, Bhawanipatna and Muribahal stations, the DRM said. He further said that the doubling in Sambalpur - Jharsuguda line has almost been completed and this would be helpful in timely train movement. He further said that lapanga, a station amidst the industrial hub, has been declared as a model station.
As part of the awareness drive among the passengers and common people, road shows, direct interaction with passengers and many such programmes have been organized in remote and urban areas, he informed. At the same time, adequate steps have also been taken to discourage ticketless journey, he said. He also sought the cooperation to enable the Railways serve better. Senior officers of the Railways, including ADRM Birendra Munduyia and CMO Dr KC Sahu were present.