Porters to soon have airport-like trolleys at Mumbai’s CSMT

The trolleys, to be introduced in a month, aims to facilitate smoother movement of baggage within the terminus.

In a move that will lift the burden off porters’ shoulders, the central railway (CR) has decided to introduce trolleys at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to help carry passengers’ luggage. The trolleys, similar to the ones in use at airports, will be introduced in a month.

Currently, porters carry luggage on plank-like trolleys (above), but the new ones will resemble those used at airports. (HT File Photo)

The move is intended to facilitate smoother movement of baggage from one of the outstation terminus to the other. While there are provisions for porters to carry around luggage on planks, they often physically carry luggage on their heads, shoulders and in hand. This not only causes them discomfort, but also leads to ailments in the long run. SK Jain, divisional railway manager, CR, said, “The porters carry luggage on their shoulders and the load often is too heavy. It is inhuman to allow them to continue. This is why we are introducing the luggage trolleys at CSMT first and if it is successful, we will then introduce it on other terminuses in the city,” said.

The trolleys will be kept near the station director’s office and will only be given to porters when they ask for it. If passengers approach the station directors directly, an announcement will be made for porters to assist the passengers.

While passenger activists have welcomed the move, they have also raised questions as to why it took the Railways 74 years to introduce the trolleys. “The introduction of the trolleys is a welcome move. With the trolleys, it will be very easy for the porters to carry the luggage inside station premises. However, this should have been done a long time ago,” said Lata Argade, vice president, Railway Pravasi Mahasangh.

In June, similar luggage trolleys to be used by porters were introduced at Pune railway station.