CHENNAI: Following the good response to book vending machines in the Central and Tambaram railway stations, the Chennai division of the Southern Railway plans to introduce newspaper vending machines in the stations in Chennai and its surrounding areas. The book vending machines would be expanded to other stations in the Chennai division.

According to railway officials, the newspaper vending machines would be installed in Central, Egmore, Tambaram, Chengalpattu and Guindy where the passenger footfall is high or express trains halt.

Currently the plans to introduce the paper vending machines in the stations are in process. “Once implemented, these machines will offer newspapers in all major languages for passengers waiting for trains. It will also save time by purchasing newspapers quickly and easily, and enjoy the convenience with automated vending accessible round-the-clock,” said a senior Southern Railway official.

Book vending machines are also planned in 12 more stations like Chromepet, Perambur, Chengalpattu, Katpadi and Jolarpettai. The focus would be given on express stoppage stations as more people would visit the station.

“All genres of books are sold through the vending machines, except those with obscene content. There is no specific best-selling genre, as sales vary based on customer preferences. Around 800 books have been sold via the vending machine at Central station since October, while 750 books have been sold in Tambaram station,” the official added. “These initiatives were implemented in other stations in India, and now it’s introduced here in Chennai.”

In trains like Vande Bharat, the newspapers are already given. But the paper vending machines would give the passengers to choose the newspaper of their choice. “Even if there are digital copies, reading a hard copy offers a different experience,” said Arun Pandian, a rail enthusiast.