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The modalities of the project, to be rolled out in Delhi first, are being worked out. Conceived by the railway ministry, it will be executed by Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
“We are working on the logistics, and hope to start the service in six months,” Rakesh Tandon, IRCTC managing director, said.
The package deal is meant to minimise the hassles of a railway journey, from reaching the station and managing the luggage to haggling with porters and boarding the train. The amount charged will factor in the cab charges as well as the porter fees. Customer executives will escort passengers to their trains.
The package deal can be soon availed from the same website from where railway tickets are booked. Those travelling alone, especially senior citizens, are expected to benefit the most, apart from business travellers who are in the city for a day.
The idea is linked to railway executive lounges, the first of which was opened at the New Delhi railway station last month. Currently, for Rs 300, a passenger can use the lounge for three hours, and meals are included. Fifty more such lounges are planned.
What may be an impediment is the scale of the service — starting, for example, with the number of taxis that may be required to be a call away. The option of using chartered buses from certain points is being considered.
A very welcome& laudable idea. Waiting to see its introduction!
While I appreciate the idea of picking up and offering other services to the railway passengers, Indian railways must look into the quality of service that is being offered currently. Today's TOI article has quoted one of the railway passenger that he was given 'rat biryani' when he had asked for veg biryani. The coach, washrooms always remain so dirty and unhygienic which are very basic needs of every passenger. Indian railways has the potential to be a world class railway but someone has to wake up these railway officials and workers who are lost in the deep slumber.
It is heatening to note that IRCTC has brought out such a novel idea. This facility was required for the passengers who were residing away from the rly stations and for travels in late nights, early mornings etc.,and proper public conveyances were not avialble for them to carry their luggages etc.,Also if somewhow conveyances availavle, the tendency would be to fleece the customers taking advntage of the situations & by this new arrangement, a lot of issues would get solved like security, fleecing, confirmed availability etc., and rlys would would do well to finalise the scheme after taking the public views into account.
