India’s first ATM on train launched on Mumbai’s Panchavati Express
For the first time, Indian Railways has introduced an ATM inside a train, allowing passengers on the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express to withdraw cash during their journey.
Central Railway (CR) has introduced this to make travel a little more convenient for passengers who might need cash during their journey.
The ATM, provided by a private bank, is placed comfortably within an air-conditioned coach.
It’s installed in a small cubicle towards the back of the coach, in an area formerly occupied by a temporary pantry. To protect it and make it simple to operate as the train travels, the cubicle is equipped with a shutter door.
This pilot program is about experimenting with the feasibility of having cash withdrawal facilities on rolling trains, and it could pave the way for similar services in the future if the experiment is successful.
“The ATM has been put in place on board the Panchavati Express on a trial basis,” said Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, as reported by PTI. Based on the outcome of this experiment, officials are contemplating taking the facility to other trains on a broader NFR (New Frontier Railways) plan.
In order to accommodate the ATM, the coach was modified at the Manmad Railway Workshop. Railway authorities are now monitoring their performance closely so that network connectivity remains stable along the entire route, allowing passengers to withdraw cash without a problem.