Mumbai: Western Railway has introduced the 'Coolie on Call' system for the first time in Indian Railways, aiming to make travel more convenient for passengers, particularly senior citizens, Divyangjans, and those with health conditions. The service is currently available at Vapi and Valsad stations, with plans to expand to Vasai Road station soon.

Through this service, passengers can book porters online to help carry their luggage at the station. Bookings can be made by scanning a QR code or using the contact number provided on the website. Once the booking is confirmed, passengers will receive the details of the assigned porter, including their name and mobile number, via WhatsApp.

Railway officials said the move is part of broader efforts to improve passenger amenities through digital platforms. Earlier, facilities like automatic ticket vending machines and digital display boards were introduced, and now, the porter service is being added to enhance passenger convenience.

The service is being managed through an agency appointed by Western Railway. When a booking or inquiry is made, the agency arranges for a porter at the station. This system is especially useful at stations where express trains stop but porter services are not readily available due to lower passenger volumes. Feedback from passengers is being collected through WhatsApp to help improve the service further.

Officials also mentioned that the initiative could generate non-fare revenue for the railways. Depending on passenger response, there are plans to extend the service to more stations across the network.

BI Bureau