A cable channel displays the train arrival and departure timings in Muzaffarpur. Picture by Prakash Kumar

Patna, May 8: Train passengers will no longer have to worry about train schedules. They do not even have to call 139 to get information regarding arrival and departure timings of the trains.

Soon, all these information will be available on television. The initiative has been taken by East Central Railway (ECR) and presently working successfully in Muzaffarpur.

The facility is being provided to the passengers by ECR with the help of local cable operators, who will be playing a significant role to help reach the facility to the passengers.

Commenting on the service which would soon be introduced in Patna, ECR, chief public relations officer (CPRO) Dilip Kumar said: “In the view of passengers facing trouble on daily basis to get the information regarding any particular train, they have to either call 139 or to visit the railway station. Many times when passengers reach the station, they come to know that the train is late for several hours and it becomes quite difficult for them to stay back at the platform for hours. This facility will surely help the passengers and they can arrive at the station on the right time.”

Asked about the functioning of the system, Dilip further said: “The cable operators will give a space in their channel along with other channels and passengers can watch the arrival and departure time live while sitting at home. Before leaving the house for the railway station people can switch on their TV sets and get the status of the train. If the train is delayed, the passengers can wait at home and complete their unfinished work.”

When The Telegraph asked as to how the information would be beamed on TV, Dilip said: “The information will be transmitted from the railway station to the control room of the cable operators and from there they will provide the service to the respective houses. They will not charge any extra money for this service from the passengers.”

“The passengers will get a feel of the station because when the information changes on the display board on the station, the information on the TV channel will also change. The people of Patna will also be able to avail this service soon,” said Dilip.

Commenting on the service, Sujit Kumar, a resident of Kamra Mohalla near Banaras Bank Chowk in Muzaffarpur said: “This service is a boon for us. Earlier, we used to call the railway inquiry number, which remains busy most of the time. Sometimes it even gives wrong information. Many times we had to come back from the station because we felt that it is better to relax at home rather than wait at the platform. This service would make life easier for everyone. We would be able to see the expected arrival and departure time. The best part is that even the platform number would be mentioned. Earlier, we had to ask the coolie about the platform number.”

After Muzaffapur, the service will start in Hajipur and Danapur division of ECR.