IRCTC water vending machines a big hit

Secunderabad: With the installation of water vending machines at Secunderabad Railway Station, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation is raking in revenues. Passengers are making a bee-line at the water vending machines as the rates are low. The vendors say they make Rs 15,000 a day. In the meanwhile, the private vendors say that they are affected with limited footfall. In a span of 9 m0nths ever since it was launched the vendors witnessed 30% decline in the sale of water bottles.

There are around seven water vending machines across 10 platforms. Because of heavy floating on platform no 1 and platform no 10, there are two such water vending machines on each platform. “With the availability of water at cheaper rates, many people come here to refill their water bottles or purchase a new bottle. The sales have been increasing and we earn around Rs 15,000 every day,” said Jyothi, water vending machine operator, platform no 1. If one were to purchase a one litre bottle it would cost Rs 8 but if they carry an empty bottle the rate is Rs 5. One litre water bottles by private companies are priced Rs 15. 

“Mostly passengers come to buy water bottles and very few purchase other drinks like fruit juice etc. Now, with this water vending machine our business is affected as we hardly sell them. There is a 30% decrease in its sale,” said Naresh, vendor, Vijaya Dairy, Platform no 1. Another vendor on Platform No 10, said, “We could only sell close to 40 bottles. While previously, about 100 cool water bottles were sold in a day.”

As of now, these water vending machines are available at Lingampally, Nampally, Warangal, Kazipet. “The installation of these manually operated water vending machines would continue in full pace and where the crowd is less the automated water vending machines are installed,” said Sunil Taneja, additional manager, IRCTC.

BY Sushma Nagaraju