The electronic information board at Patna Junction. Telegraph picture

Patna, Feb. 2: Passengers at Patna Junction are hooked on to an unusual number game. A game that is not only confusing but also leads to major information gap.

Reason: the electronic board displaying the names and numbers of trains is still stuck to the four-digit mode process and so are the announcements.

More than a month has passed since the railway ministry decided to assign five-digit numbers to passenger trains but authorities at Patna Junction are still following the old system.

The two electronic boards at the entrance to the station that display information about the trains still keep passengers guessing.

“The number of the train, as displayed on the board, is 8449. But on my ticket, the number is 18449. I don’t know whether the information on the electronic board is correct,” said Mangesh Kumar, a Puri-bound passenger.

He added: “Even the announcements are mentioning only the four digit number.”

East Central Railway Danapur public relations officer R.K. Singh said steps were being taken to amend the situation. “The software needs to be changed. An order has been placed. The software company has been asked to make the necessary changes as soon as possible,” said Singh.

But how soon is good enough for the passengers?

“This needs to be done immediately. I almost missed my train two weeks back,” said Vishwyajit Kumar, another passenger.

“I am sure I am not the only one who has faced such a problem. It’s been more than a month since the change was initiated. I do not understand why the old system is still being followed,” added Kumar.

“It will take some time for the passengers to get used to the new numbering system, so we are following the old process,” said Singh.

Digit 1 has been added to the existing four digits of all the trains. Railway officials claimed this was done to ensure the smooth running of the trains across the country.