After escalators and passenger lifts, seven major railway stations in the State will soon have battery-operated ferry carts to enable hassle-free movement for senior citizens, disabled, and the sick, between platforms. The carts will be available free round the clock at the Thiruvananthapurm Central, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam North, Ernakulam South and Thrissur stations.
In a first at railway stations in the State, the ferry cart will be launched at the Thiruvananthapuram Central station this week. The cart, which costs Rs. 5 lakh, will be provided by Dowins Resources Pvt. Ltd (DRPL) as part of Corporate Social Responsibility. It will be operated by a trained employee holding a LMV licence, and can ferry three persons between platforms by moving along a trolley path at the beginning and end of the platform..
Divisional Railway Manager Sunil Bajpai told The Hindu that Railways would make available free electricity and an enclosure to charge the battery. A formal agreement would be signed with the company, he said.
“We have asked them to give comprehensive insurance for these carts as they move along the crowds and cross tracks with commuters and luggage.
“The drivers will be trained and briefed about layout formalities,’’ he said.
As these carts are battery operated, they are pollution-free and noiseless. The small luggage compartment will come in handy for passengers who use the carts.
Two carts each will be introduced in a phased manner at the Thiruvananthapuram Central, Ernakulam North, Ernakulam South and Thrissur and one each in Kollam, Alappuzha and Kottayam stations. A three-member team will be posted at the stations where there are two carts. The battery has to be charged for 8 to 10 hours to run for a day.
Brijesh Raju, Marketing Manager, DRPL, said a dedicated telephone service would be introduced to enable commuters to seek assistance before they reach the station.
The carts will serve dual purpose of transporting people across platforms and as advertising media.
The advertising revenues accrued will be ploughed back to maintain the public service, he added.