CSR gives Railways a helping hand, three schemes launched for passengers
S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @infodeaofficialThere is a happy news for passengers travelling on trains across this nation. They are going to get more amenities, thanks to the scheme of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
High-speed wi-fi, toilets in the circulating areas of railway stations and stainless steel benches at railway stations across the country will be available thanks to funds that have poured out from CSR scheme of various companies.
According to a press release, Union Minister of Railways and Coal Piyush Goyal has inaugurated the project that commenced work towards providing these three amenities. While high-speed wifi connectivity will be provided at 4,971 stations through funds from CSR scheme of Tata Trust, 2,400 toilets will be constructed through funds from CSR scheme of various public sector undertakings. Over 5,000 stainless steel benches will be given through support from General Insurance Corporation.
Indian Railways is fully committed to the Digital India initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Providing high speed internet services to its passengers over its network is a priority for Indian Railways.
Out of 8,738 Stations, 6,441 Stations have been planned to be given Wi-Fi facility, excluding 2,297 halt Stations. So far, 832 Stations have been equipped with Wi-Fi facility. 775 more Stations will be covered with Wi-Fi service by March, 2019. The 4,791 balance stations will be taken up by TATA Trust and are targeted for commissioning progressively by 2nd September 2019, on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Over 2,400 toilets will be constructed in circulating area of stations with separate units for men, women and divyangjan with low-cost sanitary pads dispenser, incinerator and condom vending machines, through CSR support from corporates like Coal India Ltd and its subsidiaries namely NLC, IRFC, CONCOR and PGCIL. RITES, a public sector undertaking under Ministry of Railways, is project implementation partner, on behalf of Indian Railways.
Sample toilets have been installed at Anand Vihar Station, New Delhi and Prayagraj station. General Insurance Corporation committed to provide funds for 5,000 stainless steel benches at railway stations. These benches will be provided at 250 Stations of Central and Western Railway.
