week 8-14 Feb:
• Porters at railway stations who precariously balance luggage on their head will soon be a thing of the past, with the Railways devising a plan to provide them with trolleys — like the ones available at airports — as well as a fancier designation, ‘luggage assistants’.
• The bright, red uniform with a brass armband that porters — or coolies as they are popularly known — wear may also give way to clothing that carries advertisements so Railways can earn extra revenue.
• The intent is to leave no stone unturned to increase non-fare revenue.
• The Railways also wants to do away with the term “coolie”, which many see as a throwback to colonial times.
• The ambitious plan to “monetise” porters across India has the potential to open up a revenue stream that has so far remained unexplored. Delhi alone has around 2,176 licensed porters at four major railway stations.
• The plan is being devised in a way that rolls out the process in a phased manner, along with tie-ups with advertisers. The pilot could be rolled out at New Delhi railway station.
• Since most porters are part of unions, taking unions on board will be essential if things are to go smoothly.