<p>During their short stay, Anupama’s parents were all praises for Mysore and its heritage, culture and nature’s bounty that surrounded it, that they were glad they had made the trip to see their just-married daughter. And the trip home, they imagined, would be an icing on the cake, with some really emotional moments.<br /><br />But, that was not to be. When Anupama and her parents reached the station at 9.35 pm to board the 10.15 pm Mysore-Dharwad train, they thought they had arrived comfortably early. They were in for a shock when they discovered there was no dedicated counter to issue platform tickets and the only weighing machine that also disposes platform tickets at Rs five, was out of order. <br /><br />“Looking at the queue, I was certain we would be cutting it close since there were atleast 50 - 60 people ahead of me at all three counters,” says Anupama. <br /><br />At around 9.50 pm and still 20 people ahead of her, she grew tense, wondering if her parents would be able to crossover to third platform, where the train was scheduled to depart from, in a matter of few minutes.<br /><br />“I had known about the buggy services at the station. At the outset, I wasn’t able to decide whether I could put my parents on the vehicle and expect the buggy driver to take them to the right bogie, since they cannot walk with the luggage,” she says. <br /><br />But, the driver of the buggy not only helped her parents get to the right bogie, he also informed her about the same. <br /><br />Though she heaved sigh of relief, the incident has still left her puzzled as to what happens to those who land at railway station after 6 pm, to discover they have to wait in the long queue to procure a platform ticket, if they want to see off their relatives. “Buggy can be used only in the case of aged persons or physically challenged ones. What happens when such people come in large numbers? Why should it be such a herculean task to go to the platform?” she asks, insisting that this problem should be eased. <br /><br />Since this can tempt people to flout rules and enter station without platform ticket, causing some irksome moments for both railways and passengers.<br /><br />Authorities say<br /><br />When contacted, Dr Anup Dayanand Sadhu, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, South Western Railways, said the authorities were aware of this problem which had arised out of short-staffing in the department. “But, we are looking at some high-end technology solution to this problem in a matter of few months,” he said. Adding that touch-screen kiosks with ticket vending mechanism would help the relatives of passengers avail platform tickets faster, the Dr Sadhu said the proposal had been drawn up and was sent for the approval of higher ups in the department. <br /><br />“Once we get the nod, it would be a matter of few weeks before we install these,” he assured. </p>
<p>During their short stay, Anupama’s parents were all praises for Mysore and its heritage, culture and nature’s bounty that surrounded it, that they were glad they had made the trip to see their just-married daughter. And the trip home, they imagined, would be an icing on the cake, with some really emotional moments.<br /><br />But, that was not to be. When Anupama and her parents reached the station at 9.35 pm to board the 10.15 pm Mysore-Dharwad train, they thought they had arrived comfortably early. They were in for a shock when they discovered there was no dedicated counter to issue platform tickets and the only weighing machine that also disposes platform tickets at Rs five, was out of order. <br /><br />“Looking at the queue, I was certain we would be cutting it close since there were atleast 50 - 60 people ahead of me at all three counters,” says Anupama. <br /><br />At around 9.50 pm and still 20 people ahead of her, she grew tense, wondering if her parents would be able to crossover to third platform, where the train was scheduled to depart from, in a matter of few minutes.<br /><br />“I had known about the buggy services at the station. At the outset, I wasn’t able to decide whether I could put my parents on the vehicle and expect the buggy driver to take them to the right bogie, since they cannot walk with the luggage,” she says. <br /><br />But, the driver of the buggy not only helped her parents get to the right bogie, he also informed her about the same. <br /><br />Though she heaved sigh of relief, the incident has still left her puzzled as to what happens to those who land at railway station after 6 pm, to discover they have to wait in the long queue to procure a platform ticket, if they want to see off their relatives. “Buggy can be used only in the case of aged persons or physically challenged ones. What happens when such people come in large numbers? Why should it be such a herculean task to go to the platform?” she asks, insisting that this problem should be eased. <br /><br />Since this can tempt people to flout rules and enter station without platform ticket, causing some irksome moments for both railways and passengers.<br /><br />Authorities say<br /><br />When contacted, Dr Anup Dayanand Sadhu, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, South Western Railways, said the authorities were aware of this problem which had arised out of short-staffing in the department. “But, we are looking at some high-end technology solution to this problem in a matter of few months,” he said. Adding that touch-screen kiosks with ticket vending mechanism would help the relatives of passengers avail platform tickets faster, the Dr Sadhu said the proposal had been drawn up and was sent for the approval of higher ups in the department. <br /><br />“Once we get the nod, it would be a matter of few weeks before we install these,” he assured. </p>
