New Delhi, (IANS) : The Indian Railways on Monday said it will soon launch a “Yatri Mitra Sewa” service at major stations to assist old and differently abled passengers.

“With a view to provide support to old and differently abled passengers requiring assistance at the stations, Ministry of Railways has decided to introduce Yatri Mitras Sewa for enabling passengers to book wheelchair services cum porter services,” the Railways said in a statement.

According to the Railways, the new service at major stations will be provided by IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation).

“A Yatri Mitra can either be a Sahayak or any other person provided by IRCTC or the service provider appointed by IRCTC for this purpose,” the statement said.

The passengers can book the service from IRCTC e-ticketing website and 139 (IVRS and SMS) or through a dedicated mobile number, the statement said.

The Railways said that passengers will be able to access the service through a mobile application that is being developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).

The IRCTC may provide the service ‘free of cost’ through NGOs, charitable trust, PSUs etc, under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) category.

“However, if this service can’t be provided ‘free of cost’ due to lack of response from NGOs, charitable trust, PSUs etc, IRCTC may arrange this service on payment basis through a service provider or on its own,” the statement said.

The statement said that the IRCTC will ensure the ‘Yatri Mitra’ receives the passenger at the entrance of the station and help him/her in boarding the train safely.

“The ‘Yatri Mitra’ will also be available at the coach when the passenger arrives at the designated railway station,” the statement added.