Yatri Mitra Sewa in city railway station soon

BHUBANESWAR: Railways will start Yatri Mitra Sewa at major stations including Bhubaneswar under East Coast Railway (ECoR) zone in order to provide wheel chair, battery operated car and porter services to physically challenged, ailing and senior citizens. In a commercial circular issued on September 14, the Railway Board has asked the zonal railways to begin Yatri Mitra Sewa at major stations.A Yatri Mitra (Passenger Friend) can either be a Sahayak or any other person engaged by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) or the service provider appointed by the IRCTC for the purpose, said the circular.
Responsibility of providing the service has been entrusted with the IRCTC. The corporation may provide the service ‘Free of cost’ through some NGOs, charitable trust or PSUs under its CSR activities. If it does not get any response from these stakeholders, IRCTC may arrange this service on payment basis through a service provider or on its own, said a senior railway officer. This service can be booked on IRCTC’s e-ticketing website and or sending an SMS to 139. Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) is developing an app which can be used by the passengers to avail the service.
After the service is booked by the passenger, the IRCTC or the service provider will send SMS and ensure that the Yatri Mitra is arranged or positioned at the platform near the coach of the passenger. Mobile number of the Yatri Mitra will also be sent to the passenger for help.
After arrival of the train, the Yatri Mitra will greet the passenger and help him/her to board the train safely.
IRCTC regional manager Kushal Chatterjee said he has received a circular a few days ago to work out on the matter. “We are planning to start the service in Bhubaneswar very shortly. Though we have not set the date for its launching, we can make it happen after Dusshera,” he said. Presently, Bhubaneswar station has a battery operated car and four wheel chairs for physically challenged persons, ailing and senior citizens.