Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL) has made special arrangements to make the commute of the passengers convenient, comfortable and safe with additionally beefed up security during the upcoming Ganesh festival, the most popular festival of Konkan region.
The festival begins this week end.
As many as 214 special trains have been announced till now to cater to the rush of passengers during Ganesh festival, which is 20 per cent more than previous year, said Ms. Vaishali Patange, chief public relations officer of KRCL on Tuesday.
This year there are 130 reserved special and 46 premium reserved special, which also include 20 double decker trips.
To cater to the last minute unscheduled passenger rush, 38 unreserved special trains have also been announced between Sawantwadi and Dadar and between Ratnagiri and Lokmanya Tilak terminus.
For additional security, a company of Railway Protection Special Force(RPSF) shall be deployed along with the RPF of Konkan Railway at stations for maintaining law and order. Request for Home Guards, and local police has also been conveyed to concerned authorities. Moreover, CCTV cameras are installed at Khed, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Kankavali, and Sawantwadi stations.
Medical staff with First Aid kit will be stationed at Khed, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Kankavali, and Kudal(all Maharashtra) stations for immediate medical attention.
A Pharmaceutical counter is being set up at Ratnagiri station for benefit of the passengers. Catering establishments at station have been directed to maintain additional stock to meet the demands of passengers.
"Janata Khana" (meals containing puri - bhaji or roti - sabji ) will be also be made available at tea stalls establishments at stations. Co-ordination is being made with MSRTC authorities to link bus timings with train timings, advancing timings of opening of ticket windows for issue of current ticket by an hour at major stations, additional ticket counters at major stations in Ratnagiri region on Konkan Railway during the festival, have all been arranged.
Ms. Patange appealed to passengers to help KRCL in providing services to authorized passengers by travelling only on reserved train ticket. She said that the particulars regarding actual running timings of trains can be checked on enquiry number 139. Passengers can also send SMS on mobile number 9004470700 regarding any complaint (Not Enquiries) on KRCL.
