Rail yatri 'sevaks' for elderly people soon
PATNA: In a major policy decision, railways has decided to provide more amenities to senior citizens and elderly people to make their train journey safe and comfortable.
According to a Railway Board official, though railways had earlier announced to implement 'rail yatri sevak' scheme at important stations across the country, the scheme has not been implemented so far at most of the important stations. The railways would now expedite the implementation of this scheme in the larger interest of senior citizens, he said.
Railways is now in consultation with several private agencies to provide 'rail yatri sevak' service as being provided at different airports. These 'sevaks' would help senior citizens and elderly people, particularly sick ones, in boarding trains easily. This service would be a boon for all those who are single and undertaking journey by trains, a Board official said.
Under the proposed plan, railways would allow registered agencies and voluntary social organizations to depute their men at important stations to perform their duty as 'sevak' for elderly people. They would be paid nominal charges for carrying the luggage of those passengers who are sick and helpless in carrying their baggage themselves on the railway platforms, he said.
Under a pilot project, railways has introduced this scheme recently at New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Ahmedabad stations. However, it could not get much patronage as the scheme has not been made popular among the needy passengers. "Railways is keen to coordinate between 'sevaks' and passengers to make the scheme more popular among elderly people at crowded stations across the country," the official said, adding that this service would be available round-the-clock at important stations.
Depending on the response of the 'rail yatri sevak' service, railways has taken a decision to introduce it at important stations including Patna, Gaya, Mughalsarai and others under East Central Railway (ECR). Railways is in constant touch with the service providers to make available trolleys and 'sevaks' at major stations to give relief to elderly people during their journey, he said.
Railways is ready to provide assistance to the 'service providers'. It would soon announce a common telephone number in each zone of railways through which elderly passengers could book trolley in advance and get 'rail yatri sevak' service on platforms without delay, sources said.
According to an ECR official, railways is keen to introduce 'sevak' service first at Patna Junction and Rajendra Nagar Terminal to fulfil the needs of senior citizens. "Railways is in touch with a few agencies to make this scheme a great success in the ECR too," he said.
*V.RAGHAVENDRA RAO
20,DESCANSO DRIVE,
UNIT #1321, SAN JOSE,
CA 95134-1843.
518-261-7075
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