Commuters who need to be in touch with their homes, offices or clients can now breathe a sigh of relief as the Railways will soon allow mobile service providers to sell recharge coupons at railway stations all over the country.
The railway ministry has decided that rechargeable coupons for mobile phones would be made available for the benefit of the passengers at the STD/PCO booths at railway stations. As per the decision, all Zonal Railways are being permitted to allow the sale of recharge coupons from the existing STD/PCO booths, at railway stations which opt for selling the recharge coupons on payment of an additional license fee as per the category of the station.
The additional license fee per month of A-1 and A category of railway stations is Rs. 500, while B and C category of railways stations will charge Rs. 300.
Railway stations of the D, E and F category will charge Rs. 200.
The STD/PCO booths that opt for the scheme will be required to display a sign that says 'recharge coupons for mobile phone are available', but will not be allowed to display the name of service provider companies.
The approval has been initially granted for a period of one year, up to June 30, 2011. Thereafter, the scheme will be reviewed by the Railway Board on the basis of detailed information regarding number of booths opting for the scheme, and additional license fee realized to be received from all zonal railways.