Title - Electric car for disabled goes defunct at station

NAGPUR: In the midst of all the noise surrounding the elevation of Nagpur railway station into a world class one, basic facilities for passengers are not functioning.

The free electric car service to ferry physically challenged, patients and senior citizens at the railway station has been discontinued for at least four months. The reasons given by railway authorities and the company that donated the car vary from what the operators on the ground claim.

"Some time back, when I got down from my train and waited for the service, it did not come. So I called their helpline number which I had earlier used. It was picked up by a driver who said the service has been stopped," said Naresh Mirpuri, a businessman, who is physically challenged.

He added the service was a boon for people like him and the elderly who needed assistance in navigating inside the station.

"It was a free service and hence many could take its benefit, while the coolies who charge exorbitantly can be used by those financially well off. Escalator too is only on one side of the station and hence, not of much use. I have written to the office of divisional railway manager and the station master too," Mirpuri said.

The reason of the discontinuation of the service from May 26 is not very clear.

TOI received two different versions. "One day we were called to the station and told we need not come to work from next day. We were shocked," said Vishvajit Chahande, one of the three drivers of the vehicle. He said they were told the decision had come from above and that the services had been 'called off' in Nagpur.

"We knew there was some problem with the car and they had taken it for repairs, but they did not mention that as the reason of closure. I feel that the reason is financial and that they weren't getting enough sponsorship," he said.

Central railway PRO PD Patil said that the reason was a technical one. "The company, Srishti Communications, which donated the car is not getting some spare part and hence the delay. We are also looking at other options if the car does not become functional," he said.

"The car is about three years old and it could have done with better maintenance. Now, we are working on mending it. There is no financial reason behind stoppage of the service. It is a charity which we do and would continue even if we do not get any sponsorship," said an official of Srishti Communications.