A day ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget, the railway department has decided to close down at least 29 railway stations as they are financially unviable. These 29 stations are under the purview of the South Central Railway.
The reason for closing down these railway stations is that there are no revenues from these stations. The passengers are not using the railway station and the cargo transport too is unviable. The railway sources say that two more stations would be closed down on April 1, taking the total closed down railway stations to 31. The closing down will help in reducing manpower that could be shifted to where the need is. The establishment costs too would come down, the railway authorities say.
These stations are managed by two to three employees. During the last six months of lockdown, these stations did not do any business. Sources also say that the stations would be closed down if there is passenger traffic. They can be reopened if there is a demand. Interestingly, this decision has come at a time when there is growing demand for setting up more railway stations.
The reason for closing down these railway stations is that there are no revenues from these stations. The passengers are not using the railway station and the cargo transport too is unviable. The railway sources say that two more stations would be closed down on April 1, taking the total closed down railway stations to 31. The closing down will help in reducing manpower that could be shifted to where the need is. The establishment costs too would come down, the railway authorities say.
These stations are managed by two to three employees. During the last six months of lockdown, these stations did not do any business. Sources also say that the stations would be closed down if there is passenger traffic. They can be reopened if there is a demand. Interestingly, this decision has come at a time when there is growing demand for setting up more railway stations.