File photograph used for representational purposes only
Credit: DH File Photo
Mumbai: You can now withdraw cash while a train speed on rails!
In a first of sorts, an automated teller machine (ATM) has been installed in a train on an experimental basis drawing huge response and accolades coinciding with the 172nd anniversary of the Indian Railways.
The Mumbai-headquartered Central Railway (CR) has installed an ATM on board the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express.
The ATM has been placed by the Bank of Maharashtra in collaboration with the Bhusawal division of CR.
Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, took to social media platforms to post a video of the ATM on Wednesday.
“In a first, ATM facility in train,” posted the minister, a bureaucrat-turned-politician.
Incidentally, the video comes on the anniversary of the railways.
“Tracks of Time, Tales of Triumph!….172 years ago, the rhythmic chug of a steam engine echoed through history, carrying not just passengers, but dreams and destiny across 34 kilometers of iron rails…From a 34 km journey in 1853 to one of the world's largest railway networks today — India’s railways continue to move forward with pride,” the CR posted. \
It has been introduced as part of Indian Railways’ Innovative and Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme (INFRIS).
The Panchavati Express runs daily between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai and Manmad Junction in Nashik and back. The Panchavati Express shares its rake with Mumbai–Hingoli Janshatabdi Express.
After the trial run, ATMs would be introduced in more trains.
The necessary upgrade to install the ATM was carried out at the Manmad Railway Workshop.