EC, Rlys join hands to utilise long distance trains for creating awareness among voters
Nagpur: Passengers at Nagpur Railway Station were pleasantly surprised to see awareness messages such as “No Voter To be Left Behind,” “Koi Matdata Na Chhute,” “Vote Karne Avashya Jaye,” “GoVote Call 1950” “Desh Ka Maha Tyohar” displayed on Kerala Express which rolled down on Platform No. 1 in the wee hours of Saturday. Many enthusiastic passengers clicked selfies with the brightly coloured and attractive messages.
The Election Commission and Indian Railways joined hands to utilise four long distance trains for creating awareness among voters about the Lok Sabha elections. The four trains selected on the longest north-south and east-west routes are Kerala Express, Himsagar Express, Howrah Express and Guwahati Express. The trains would display important contact details including the voter helpline number and information about the National Voters Services Portal besides motivational messages urging people to vote.
The joint venture of Election Commission and Indian Railways was launched on Friday at New Delhi Railway Station. Senior Election Deputy Commissioner Umesh Sinha flagged off New Delhi- Thiruvananthapuram Kerala Express (Train No. 12626) at 11.25 am. The Train displayed important contact for the citizens including the Voter Helpline number and the National Voters’ Services Portal besides motivational messages urging them to vote.
The Kerala Express reached Nagpur on Saturday at 3.50 am. Election Nodal Officer (Nagpur City) Dr Ranjana Lade, Election Nodal Officer (Nagpur Rural) Rajendra Bhuyar, Nagpur Railway Station Master Dinesh Nagdeve, Amenity Supervisor Pravin Rokde, Sub-Station Chief (Commercial) Dattu Gadge welcomed the train. The officials appealed the voters to exercise their franchise in maximum number and ensure 100 percent voting in Lok Sabha elections.
Election Nodal Officers Dr Ranjana Lade and Rajendra Bhuyar flagged of Kerala Express at 4.10 am on its onward journey for creating awareness at various destinations the train would cover. Others who were present on the occasion include Kapil Nagar Higher Secondary School Headmaster Rajendra Pusekar, Education Department’s Vinay Bagle, Vinit Tembhurne, Railway’s Health Inspector Arun Sen, Agatha Francis and others.
