New stores, facilities planned across key stations in Madurai division

Madurai: Madurai railway division has unveiled plans for new shopping and passenger amenities across key stations like Madurai, Rameswaram, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Tirunelveli, Karaikudi, Palani, and TenkasiAmong the retail proposals are textiles, footwear and leather shops, attar and perfume outlets, stationery, florist, toys, gifts, mobile accessories, personal care and cosmetic outlets, optical and watch shops. As part of passenger amenities, sanitary napkin automatic vending machines have been proposed at Madurai, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Palani, Karaikudi, Rameswaram, and Tirunelveli. A rail coach dormitory is also planned for Rameswaram. Canteen facilities are set to be introduced at Kovilpatti, Dindigul, Guduvancheri, and Manamadurai. A meeting with potential contractors was organised by the commercial branch of Madurai division on Wednesday. A target of 7 crore was set for non-fare revenue (NFR), which is revenue apart from passenger and goods earnings. Twenty potential bidders participated in the meeting, and the division highlighted about 70 new NFR assets that are scheduled for e-auction.