Railway News: Railways has started preparations to install Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM) at 702 big and small stations of Bihar. The target is to complete this work by March 2026. Instructions have been issued to all the railway divisions. This decision will provide great relief to passengers holding local and general tickets, as they will no longer have to stand in long queues to purchase tickets.
East Central Railway CPRO Saraswati Chandra said, “Where machines have not been installed till now, machines are being made available as per the need of the passengers. This is providing great convenience to the passengers taking general tickets.” This initiative by the Railways is considered a significant step towards digital transactions and expedited services for lakhs of passengers in Bihar.
More Than 100 Machines Will Be Installed In the Danapur Division
More than 100 machines will be installed at about 40 stations under the Danapur Railway Division. More than 5 lakh passengers travel here every day, for whom this facility will prove to be both time-saving and convenient. The installation process of machines will commence in July, and the tender process is expected to be completed by June 20.
Currently, there are 10 ticket vending machines (5 on the platform number 1 side and 5 on the Karbighhiya side) installed at Patna Junction, out of which one is closed due to a technical fault. Now, five more machines will be installed at the station, increasing the total number to 15. Approximately 40,000 general tickets are issued here every day.
These Stations Will Be Included In The First Phase
In the first phase, machines will be installed at all stations from Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction to Patna, Jhajha and Jaynagar. Passengers will now be able to purchase tickets directly from the machine by selecting the option in either Hindi or English, and will also have the facility of online payment.
Currently, ATVM machines are installed at more than 70 stations in Bihar. Twenty-two machines have been installed at stations such as Samastipur, Darbhanga, Raxaul, Narkatiaganj, Saharsa, Bettiah, and Motihari. The number of machines is still less at many major stations, which will be increased in a phased manner.
