Citizens’ ‘no’ to bid to shut down 2 railway ticket reservation counters
A view of the Vijayawada railway station
Vijayawada: Reports that the railway authorities are planning to close two reservation counters in the city evoked an immediate reaction from various quarters on Monday.Several people, including passengers, politicians and employees expressed concern over the proposed move of railway authorities.According to sources, the railway officials decided to close the reservation counters at Benz Circle and Bhavanipuram, two of the three counters. The third counter is at the railway station.
The move is said to be in line with the railway ministry’s proposals to encourage sale of train tickets in the private sector. Each of six private agencies in the city can now open four counters, a total of 24 counters, as per the new norms.However, railway officials are yet to confirm the closure of the two reservation counters in the city.
South Central Railway Mazdoor Union divisional general secretary G.N. Srinivasa Rao said that the railway should maintain the two counters. “Why should passengers spend Rs30 extra per ticket and buy tickets from private agents?” he asked. Expressing concern over the railway authorities move to close the reservation counters, N. Shekhar Babu, a resident of Patamata, said that the move will create great inconvenience to passengers.
He said that instead of extending the railway reservation counters, the authorities are planning to close the existing ones.Reacting on the issue, East MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao said that the railway reservation counters were set up at Benz Circle, Bhavanipuram and at Kondapalli, after he took the matter up with the Vijayawada MP earlier. Mr Rammohan Rao promised to take the issue up with the railway authorities and try to stop their decision to close the two counters.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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