22/09/2026
What if the railway station answered your questions before you had to ask?
You arrive at a busy railway station.
You look up at the overhead LED display:
Where is my train? Which platform? Where will my coach stop?
Then comes the familiar routine — walk to the enquiry counter, wait for an announcement, or find a railway employee and ask.
For someone unfamiliar with the station, those few minutes can create unnecessary confusion and anxiety.
Here's a simple idea.
Place 60-inch or larger TV ( Preferably Touch screen) at strategic locations inside a major railway station.
But don't make it just another information screen.
Make it a visual station guide.
The screen could show an overhead/top-down view of the station, with all the platforms, footbridges, stairs, lifts and important passenger areas.
Most importantly, the screen identifies the passenger's location:
📍 YOU ARE HERE
So instead of simply reading:
Platform 6 → this way
the passenger can actually see where Platform 6 is in relation to where they are standing.
And make the information interactive or available upfront.
Information like:
Train No. → Platform → Walking route → Coach position
Tap Platform 6, and the screen highlights the walking route from the passenger's current location.
Coach Position, and the screen shows where the coaches are expected to stop along the platform.
The information on TV is updated by the announcement/enquiry desk using a simple application.
When the operator enters:
Train No. 12345 → Platform 6 → Coach position updated and the information can automatically update across the touchscreen displays throughout the station.
So when the platform changes, train arrival information changes, or coach-position information is updated, the passenger-facing screens can reflect the latest information.
Four possible benefits:
1. LESS CONFUSION
Passengers can visually understand where they are and where they need to go.
2. REDUCED PASSENGER ANXIETY
Particularly useful for elderly passengers, families, first-time visitors and people unfamiliar with the station.
3. LESS PRESSURE ON ENQUIRY STAFF
Routine "Which platform?" and "Where do I go?" questions could be answered directly through the touchscreen.
4. BETTER COACH-POSITION INFORMATION
Passengers can see their coach position visually instead of relying entirely on announcements or asking railway staff.
Why not make this a pilot programme?
Railways don't have to roll it out everywhere.
Try it at a few major, high-footfall stations.
Install the displays at strategic points. Connect them to a simple information-update system at the announcement/enquiry desk.
Observe how passengers use them. Measure whether they reduce enquiries, confusion and unnecessary movement around the station.
Then improve the system based on what passengers actually do.
The basic idea is simple:
Don't just tell passengers where to go.
Show them.
Because sometimes the most useful information isn't another announcement.
It's a simple map saying:
"You are here."
And yes, if the Railway authorities happen to like the idea, they can give me a pat on the shoulder — or, preferably, a handsome cheque. 😄
Another spinoff from this idea for Indian Railways or irctc site is this - Suppose there is a QR code for each such TV monitor and a person just takes a pic or scans it, then he or she can use that as a reference till they board the train.
More valuable would be when, it could be given along with the ticket confirmation SMS.
Your ticket is confirmed.
Scan the QR code here: [link] for platform overview!
After all, this is about usability, service improvement and making the passenger experience a little less stressful.
Third Door Strategy
Notice the friction. Reimagine the experience.
