The railway ministry has nixed its plans to set up automatic teller machines (ATMs) in running trains owing to technical problems. The proposal was a part of the ministry drive to improve passenger amenities.
Initially the service was to be provided on major trains and then expanded to others depending on the success of the plan.
A State Bank of India (SBI) study found the proposal was not feasible due to lack of connectivity on running trains. ?There were instances when the satellite link is broken. In such cases, it would be difficult for passengers to withdraw money,? a railway official said. Debit cards may also get stuck in ATMs or transactions would remain incomplete if the connectivity gets disturbed,? the official pointed out, adding that the ministry might again take up the proposal at a later date if the problem was sorted, he added.
Security concerns too have dogged the project. Many officials within the ministry were of the view that ATMs on running trains might endanger passenger lives and lead to robberies, especially in trains plying on routes such as the Naxal belt.
To minimise such risks, the ministry had proposed that the ATMs would be set up separately in the pantry car. Extra security personnel would also be deployed to ensure passenger safety.