Automatic consumable dispensers at CR stations receive good response from the commuters

Mumbai was one of the worst affected cities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and since March 2020, the state government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has imposed strict rules to curb the spread of COVID-19. Appeals have been made to wear the mask at all times, maintain social distance, and use sanitisers to reduce the chances of infection.

To emphasise this further, the Central Railway (CR) had installed three automatic dispensers for masks, hand sanitisers, and gloves, one machine each at CSMT, Dadar and Kurla LTT stations. As per reports released by the department, the response received for the machine is note-worthy, as people have been using the machines to purchase the items and keep themselves safe in public areas. 

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A detailed report was published in the Mid-Day which revealed that both regular and N95 masks were among the most sold items from the dispensers. Besides this people also purchased hand sanitisers bottles and gloves. Over 6,000 3-ply masks have been sold (priced at INR 10 per mask), over 2,000 N95 masks (priced at INR 30) have been purchased from these machines. Officials informed that more than INR 1.57 lakh have been collected from the sales.

During the COVID waves and in the beginning of 2021, commuters who were permitted to travel by the local trains had demanded the need for the safety items to be sold at the stations. Taking a note of the same, officials decided to implement several options thereby making it easy for commuters to purchase the same. Suggestions were made to sell the masks at kiosks and stalls on the stations as well, and the efforts taken with the vending machines have been received well.

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Response collected from the public stated that such items were often forgotten or had to be replaced during the pandemic keeping the safety aspects in mind. Moreover, strict guidelines and fines were imposed if commuters violated the rules while travelling on the train, and it is suggested that this could be one of the reasons for increase in sales from the vending machines. 

Below mentioned is the total sales of the items from the vending machines (as reported in the publication)

• N-95 masks: INR 63,570
• 3-ply mask: INR 60,560
• Sanitiser (100ml): INR 18,100
• Sanitiser (250ml): INR 12,000
• Gloves: INR 3,020

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