Mysuru: The absence of digital payment facilities at the entrance of the Mysuru Rail Museum has been causing considerable inconvenience to visitors, particularly tourists who no longer carry cash.Despite the growing preference for digital transactions, the museum’s ticket counters accept only cash, leaving many visitors uncomfortable and frustrated.Established in 1979 as India’s first regional rail museum after New Delhi’s National Rail Museum, the Mysuru Rail Museum underwent extensive renovation in 2019–20 under the then DRM manager Aparna Garg. Spread over 3 acres, the eco-conscious complex showcases historic locomotives, royal saloons, galleries, and landscapes, offering an immersive experience through artefacts, multimedia exhibits, themed galleries, toy train rides, a cafeteria, a souvenir shop, and panoramic views that narrate the rich evolution of Indian Railways.Since its transformation in 2019, the museum has become a major attraction, drawing over 800 tourists daily, including foreigners, families, students, and railway enthusiasts.The entry fee is Rs 50 for adults and Rs 20 for children aged between 5 and 12 years, while children below 5 years enter free.Karthik, who recently visited the museum, said, “Even vegetable vendors have digital payment facilities, but it’s unfortunate that the central govt failed to introduce digital payment to buy entrance tickets. They demand only cash for tickets.”Mudit Mittal, divisional railway manager, Mysuru division, Southwestern Railway, said he wasn’t aware of the inconvenience faced by the visitors at the museum without the provision for digital payment to buy tickets. The DRM promised to facilitate visitors by introducing digital payment within two to three days.
