RPF to expand its help kiosks to eight more railway stations in Tiruchi Division

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A help kiosk set up by the Railway Protection Force at one of the stations in Tiruchi Division | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has decided to expand its technology-driven passenger assistance system by setting up help kiosks at eight more railway stations falling under the limits of the Tiruchi Railway Division soon.

The system is being expanded to enable passengers to instantly report security-related concerns, seek medical assistance or emergency help, and report lost property by using the help kiosk to convey their concerns directly to the RPF Control Room functioning at Tiruchi.

The help kiosk system was first launched in November last year at Srirangam railway station near Tiruchi and was subsequently extended to Chidambaram and Puducherry railway stations in February this year.

Encouraged by passenger feedback, the RPF has now decided to extend the facility to eight more stations: Thanjavur, Tirupadirippuliyur, Nidamangalam, Vellore Cantonment, Karaikal, Mannargudi, Velankanni, and Nagore. An additional kiosk is to be established at both Chidambaram and Puducherry stations.

The RPF has received sanction from the Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi, for expanding the system to eight more stations, said the authorities. Necessary training would be provided to the local RPF personnel on the system, and the system would be tested before it is formally commissioned. The help kiosks are expected to become functional by mid-October, the RPF authorities further said.

The kiosk would be installed at a prominent location in the identified stations to enable passengers to raise complaints, which would be instantly sent to the RPF Divisional Control Room for prompt response and grievance redressal, a senior RPF officer said.

The system is being put in place to bridge the gap between the passengers and the RPF at those stations where there is no permanent RPF presence. The RPF has posts in 12 stations and out-posts in three stations in Tiruchi Division at present. The expansion of the new system to cover more stations is based on passengers’ feedback, the authorities said. Thanjavur, Karaikal and Velankanni have been chosen for the installation of the help kiosk as they attract tourists from various places.

As the RPF Divisional Control Room is aware of the duty schedule of its personnel at the stations, the nearest staff would be instructed to attend to the grievances and problems faced by passengers and provide necessary assistance to them.

Ever since the system was launched at Srirangam station, the RPF has handled 77 complaints generated through the kiosk, 41 complaints in Chidambaram, and 39 complaints in Puducherry. The complaints received through the kiosks pertained to missing luggage or mobile phones, seeking medical and emergency assistance, and other assistance or passenger guidance.

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