KOZHIKODE: Kudumbashree has entered into the service sector of Railways with an aim to provide better passenger amenities. In a first in Palakkad division, it had commenced manning the Payed Air-conditioned waiting lounge and retiring room at Kozhikode railway station. Besides the existing facilities, Kudumbashree self-help groups (SHG) are all set to introduce additional features here. “A reading point, feeding corner, children’s play space and additional seating will be arranged soon,” said Kudumbashree district coordinator P.C. Kavitha.
Kudumbashree has taken over both the resting rooms in Kozhikode on May 10. The tie-up with SHGs is as a part of the Railway’s policy to associate with civil society groups to provide better service. “We expect the cooperation will provide better passenger-friendly amenities and a fillip to women empowerment. Four women staff will be available in the lounge round the clock,” said Kozhikode Railway Chief Commercial Inspector Shyam Sasidharan. Facilities like modern toilets, television sets, sanitary napkin vending machine and automatic ticket printing machine are already available at the lounge.
Tirur is the next station to come under the collaboration. The project has been implemented on a cost-sharing basis between Railways and the Kudumbashree. Currently, Kudumbashree has presence in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Kollam railway stations. Its manning of pay-and-park facilities and vegetarian refreshment rooms at various stations in southern Kerala during Sabarimala season had evoked good response.
