Railways to allow pvt ticket sale and ATMs, restrict entry

Phagwara, Aug 7 (UNI) The Railways has given its nod to sale by private contractors at many railway stations here and plans to offer ATM facility on board trains even as it proposes to restrict entry at platforms of major railway stations.

The sale of unreserved railway tickets by private contractors at their own respective premises has been allowed in nine towns of Ferozpur division, Railways sources told UNI here today.

The facility, beginning with Ferozpur, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Beas, Phagwara, Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdasspur, Hoshiarpur stations, would soon be provided at other places as well, they said.

On the other hand, it has been decided to ban, on the pattern of airport, the entry of persons other than passengers on railway platforms of some sensitive stations.

The sources said, only passengers carrying valid train tickets would be allowed to proceed towards platforms at sensitive and important railway stations and people coming to see-off or receive passengers would not be permitted to go to the railway platforms.

The restriction, to be introduced at major railway stations, would later be extended to all, he added.

The Railways have decided to set up ATMs in different trains and at important railway stations to enable passengers to withdraw money as required during their journey, minimising the risk of theft.

Several banks have offered to install their ATM machines, the sources said.

UNI XC JN VD VC1420