Mumbai: The Twitterati have given mixed reactions to Western Railway’s plan of leasing Surat station platform for wedding receptions and parties. While some have slammed the railways for not providing passengers with basic amenities, others praised it for its innovative idea to generate revenue rather than merely relying on tickets’ sale.

The Asian Age had on Friday written that the railways is planning to lease out platforms like Surat and Navapur for wedding receptions and parties. After The Asian Age’s article was re-tweeted by the official account of the Railway Ministry, Twitterati put forward their opinion.

One of Twitteratis, Vinay Kumar Dokania, mocked the railways, tweeting “the way rail fares are being hiked and there is a drop in passengers, railway stations are empty hence alternate ideas.” Criticising the railway’s plan, Jay from Chennai felt that it should first look at other alternatives.

He wrote, “Very bad idea, will create problems for general public. Better option is to utilise the real estate on coaches for advertisements”. Backing the plan, Hemant Chaturvedi tweeted, “It is a good way for the railways to earn revenue, well done”.

R.K. Mishra, another railway passenger, said, “This is a welcome step by the Railways. We appreciate it, it will have a breaking effect on rates by gardens (other wedding halls)”. Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu will declare the rate at which platforms will be leased in the next few months.