In yet another effort to make travel experience more comfortable for elderly and differently-abled persons, Government have announced launch of Yatri Mitra (Passenger Friend) Seva to facilitate access to battery operated cars and wheelchairs at railway stations.
Passengers will be able to avail this service at all major railway stations soon. Yatri Sewa will be available for both arriving and departing passengers.
The service can be availed at the time of booking a ticket or messaging 139, accessing an app to be developed by Center for Railway Information System (CRIS) or by directly calling a dedicated mobile number (soon to be activated). This dedicated mobile number would be different for each station and shall be displayed on IRCTC e-ticketing website and zonal websites of Indian Railways to facilitate booking of Yatri Mitra. Once booking is made, booking details would be sent through SMS on passenger’s mobile number and to the service provider/IRCTC.
Government is planning to keep this service free of cost with help of NGO, charitable trust or PSUs. If they don’t get support from NGOs and charitable trusts, Government will keep some minimal service charge keeping in mind the objective of this sewa.
Previously on January 01, 2016, Konkan Railways introduced similar service under “Sarathi Seva” for disabled. It comprised of a wheelchair along with an assistant, who takes the passenger from coach to station exit and vice versa free of cost. This service was made available at five stations – Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Karmali, Madgaon and Udupi. Download Trainman App to find train between stations, Check PNR Status, to book train ticket, train enquiry and Indian Railway seat availability along with train fare.