Porter charges NRI a whopping Rs 10,000 for free wheelchair service at Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, license revoked permanently

A porter’s license was canceled at Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway station after he charged an exorbitant sum of Rs 10,000 from a non-resident Indian passenger for providing wheelchair assistance and handling luggage. The incident, which took place on December 28, came to public attention when the passenger’s daughter, Payal, filed a formal complaint with the railways. She discovered that wheelchair assistance at railway stations was a free service, prompting the authorities to take quick action.

Following the investigation, the Railways took immediate action, ensuring that the porter would return INR 9,000 to the affected family and cancel his badge permanently. Northern Rail reiterated its commitment to passenger welfare, stressing its “zero tolerance policy” towards such misconduct.

Payal, a native of Gujarat and currently residing in London, was traveling with her parents, Ritesh and Sandhya, and her husband, Samuel. The family arrived in Delhi on December 21 and planned to visit Agra on December 28. At Hazrat Nizamuddin station, the porter asked for Rs 10,000 to help Payal’s elderly father, Ritesh, get a wheelchair and move their luggage to the platform.

During their tour of Agra, which included a visit to the Taj Mahal, Pyle discussed the incident with Anil Sharma, secretary of the prepaid taxi drivers union. Sharma informed her that wheelchair assistance at railway stations is a free service and that porters are only allowed to charge a nominal fee for additional duties.

Concerned by the revelation, Payel and her husband reported the incident to the Government Railway Police at Agra Cantt station. The Rapid Response Forces moved quickly and coordinated with their counterparts at Hazrat Nizamuddin Station to investigate the matter. CCTV footage helped identify the porter, who was later asked to return Rs 9,000 to the family.

Northern Railway immediately addressed the issue by permanently revoking the porter’s badge as a disciplinary measure. In a statement, the Delhi Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) expressed regret over the matter and reiterated the Railways’ dedication to the safety and comfort of passengers.

“This incident tarnishes the image of the railways and erodes passenger confidence. We have a zero-tolerance policy for such misconduct and will take strict action against those found guilty,” the DRM said.

The Railways also encouraged passengers to report grievances immediately by calling helpline number 139, ensuring that such issues are resolved quickly.

The Railway Administration reiterated its commitment to passenger welfare and urged passengers to be vigilant against such incidents. “We urge all passengers to report any issues immediately, enabling us to resolve them immediately and maintain the trust they place in us,” the DRM confirmed.