Vandalising ATVM

In 2 yrs, rlys spent Rs 12 lakh on vandalised ATVMs

PRIYAL DAVE Tue May 14 2013

OVER the past two years, Central and Western Railway have spent nearly Rs 12 lakh to replace touch screens of 44 automatic ticket vending machines (ATVMs) that were vandalised. The cost of replacing a touch screen is around Rs 28,000, sources said.

Since last year, WR has seen eight cases wherein touch screens of ATVMs were vandalised, while CR has seen 26 such cases. In 2011, 10 CR ATVMs were vandalised.
The latest case was reported at Ghatkopar station, where one of the eight newly installed ATVMs was damaged on May 3. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has registered a case under section 145 (nuisance) of the Railways Act against unidentified persons. The machine was placed on the FOB, which is monitored by CCTV camera.
Following the incident, CR asked the RPF to install a CCTV camera closer to the ATVM for better monitoring.
The Railways has been installing the machines at FOBs that have direct connectivity with skywalks to encourage commuters to use the walkways and also facilitate seamless travel.
Mukesh Nigam, divisional railway manager, CR said, "We will take measures to prevent such incidents. However, we will continue to install the machines on FOBs as we want the facilities to proliferate and benefit commuters."
Alok Bohra, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF, CR (Mumbai Division) said, "Such cases show lack of civic sense."
Sources said in 11 cases on CR, the damaged ATVMs were ones that failed repeatedly.
The Railways has identified locations at Kanjurmarg, Chembur, Vikhroli, Shahad, Mankhurd, Wadala Road and Nalasopara as problem areas in this regard.
Over 20 new ATVMs, each costing Rs 1.30 lakh, were recently installed at CSTM, Vidyavihar, Mulund, Nahur, Kalamboli and Ghatkopar.
priyal.dave@expressindia.com