Indian Railways to allow battery-operated vehicles for infirm passengers

In a significant move aimed at providing travelling comforts to disabled and elderly passengers, the ministry of railways has decided to allow private parties to operate free of cost, round-the-clock battery operated vehicle services.

It proposes to allow four-seater vehicles to be available on platforms at major railway stations for carrying disabled and elderly passengers to help them avoid having to trudge to their compartments to board trains.

The rail ministry has forwarded policy guidelines to all zonal railways.

The private operators would be allowed to provide the services on a first-come-first-served basis. While no charges will be paid by the passengers or the railways, the service providers will be allowed to carry paid advertising on the vehicles in approved formats to generate revenue.

While Indian railways will provide free electricity at stations for charging the batteries of the vehicles, the service providers will provide for repair and maintenance of the vehicles.

The number of vehicles to be operated at each station will be determined by the zonal railways based on requirements.

The processes for selecting service providers and revenue sharing possibilities are being worked out and Indian Railways will enter into a one-year contract with the sethose selected to operate the service.

The railways will conduct an annual review of the services.