Tourist-friendly helpdesk set up at Hosapete railway station

The railway station here is in elite company, having been selected among 24 in the country for setting up tourism helpdesks by the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

With World Heritage Site Hampi nearby, the station receives a large number of tourists from across the globe. Hosapete is the only station in the state selected for setting up the facility.

Personnel of the RPF are manning the helpdesk24x7.. The main objective of the helpdesk is to provide relevant information to the tourists besides providing first aid to the needy in the event of any accidents.

The personnel will also rush to the rescue of women passengers troubled by mischief mongers in trains. They will also help restore order in case of a fight between passengers.

The helpdesk has been set up on the right side as soon as one enters the station. Pictures of the monuments in Hampi, besides those of the Tungabhadra dam adorn the front of the helpdesk.

A railway official told DH that a decision on setting up helpdesks was taken at a meeting of the railways and the union tourism ministry.

He said the earlier helpdesk at the enquiry counter of the station was of no use to the tourists as there were no separate staffers there.