Biometric machines to be installed at rly stn for staff

Ludhiana: Railway authorities will soon install Aadhar-enabled biometric machines at the general ticket booking counters of the Ludhiana railway station to keep an eye on the presence of railway staff during their duty hours. In the absence of a check on their working hours, most railway staff leave their seats, which creates problems for passengers standing in the queue to get their railway tickets.
With the installation of Aadhaar-enabled biometric machines at reservation counters and staff offices, the menace of touts, which had increased in recent past, would also come down to some extent, as the staff mostly left their seats to deal with unauthorized members during duty hours. Moreover, most workers in the diesel shed or the engineering department do not utilize their total hours on duty, and leave their offices before the scheduled time, which leads to delays in the completion of different projects.
Ludhiana railway station director Abhinav Singla said: “Demands for Aadhaar-enabled biometric machines have been sent to the authorities concerned of the Ferozepur Division. Within two to three months, they will be installed at the city railway station for the welfare of passengers. It’s the need of the hour, as the problem of absenteeism during hours has increased in the recent past.”
Commercial department officials at Ludhiana railway station said: “Aadhaar-enabled biometric machines will be really helpful for both passengers as well as railway staff. After the installation of machines, if any official’s attendance is found short, then strict action will be taken by the authorities concerned, as per railway norms.”
Rail commuters are happy with the decision, as one of the travellers, Gaurav Sharma, said: “Biometric machines should be installed on a priority basis, as most staff at reservation counters leave their seats during duty hours, creating difficulties for passengers standing in the queue to get their train tickets.”