28 August,2020 06:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B Aklekar
Commuters get their QR code passes checked on Thursday
Even as Central Railway (CR) began implementing the QR code ticket system at 15 stations on Thursday, Divisional Railway Manager Shalabh Goel said they are also prepared to begin local train services and are only waiting for the government's directives to come.
"We need to understand that the state government sends a request to the railway ministry which then conveys it to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). MHA then assesses the situation and takes a call, only after which a decision on train movement is taken," he said.
"Our trains are maintained well and are all ready and staff can be gathered to resume services. We started scanning QR codes on Thursday," he added. "The highlight of the day has been the implementation of QR codes from today. Till now data of 3,34,500 employees of 95 essential service organisations have been uploaded in the system, 1,80,400 QR codes have been generated. The remaining people have not yet uploaded their photographs. The scanning is being done through a machine and an app. The photograph, name and other details are displayed on the screen associated with the link in the QR code. About 600 staff from the commercial department, RPF and the GRP have been given user IDs and access to the checking app," he said. The select trains running on CR, as of now, halt at 24 stations and of these around 15 have staffers checking the QR codes.
The CSMT station has a machine installed to scan QR codes as part of a pilot project
ALSO READ
More trains, Metro services but less buses on election day
Railways to induct 1,000 General Class coaches, check details
CR and WR get new local trains trains four years
Mira Road station gets a 23m-wide foot overbridge to boost connectivity
Mumbai: Fatalities from accidents on tracks in Mumbai drop by 14 per cent
"As of now they are not compulsory, but slowly as things move ahead, we shall start tightening the grip and they will be made compulsory," Goel added.
About allowing students appearing for exams like NEET and JEE on trains for exams, Goel said there were no directives yet. The railways will work on creating Standard Operating Procedures along with state government when they come. JEE and NEET exams are in early September.
Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.
Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news