Title - Coming on October 2, a 360-degree visual display unit at CST

Come October and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) will have an added attraction that will give passengers information, entertainment and security alerts. It will also assist them in case children go missing in the crowd.

An enormous 360-degree screen is being installed at the main concourse for outstation trains, while a smaller visual display unit is coming up in the suburban concourse.

Stressing the importance of passenger information systems, a senior official said on the condition of anonymity, “When terrorist Kasab had entered CST, an announcer relayed it to the public saving thousands of lives. Had this display system been installed earlier, the information could have been displayed on screen.’’

Besides giving a facelift to the station, it will provide commuters real-time information and updates. Installation of the cylindrical unit, 5ft broad and 8ft in diameter, will be over this month and the screens should be running by October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, said Mehul Patel, Managing director, HMP and Associates, the firm installing the unit.

CST- a world heritage site- is the first railway station in India to have this circular display unit, which gives shaper and clearer pictures, officials said.

“Two display units would be placed at CST, one 8ft by 5ft and the other 6 ft by 4 ft. Imported from Taiwan, and manufactured by a USA-based company, the smaller unit would be placed in the suburban concourse area near the square iconic clock, and the larger near the entry gate for outstation trains,’’ said a senior official.

The circular unit with sharper picture quality would display advertisements. Apart from this, public awareness pictures and videos would be shown.

“Five minutes per hour would be reserved for videos pertaining to railway issues like safety, trespassing and security measures. Three different or similar images or videos can be played at three different screens at the same time,’’ he added.

The cost of these units is approximately Rs 1.20 crore. The advertising contractor is supposed to pay Rs 16 lakh per annum to the Central Railway (CR) as premium charges.

The content on the display unit would be decided by the advertising contractor and monitored by the CR. “We would like to display 60% advertisements and allocate the rest of the time for informative and entertaining content that could help passengers. Security messages will also be displayed in emergency situations,” said Patel.