Bhubaneswar, April 1: A battery-operated vehicle was introduced at the Bhubaneswar railway station today to ferry disabled, sick and elderly people between platforms and the station compound free of cost.

An official of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) said the number of such vehicles would increase in the coming months.

The pollution free vehicle will operate round the clock. To avail the service, a passenger can dial 8895180738 or contact the stationmaster’s office.

“Most often we need to walk quite a distance after getting down from the train. The crowd also makes it difficult for us to get out of the station. The vehicle would definitely help elderly people like us,” said Sashidhar Behera, a 65-year-old passenger.

The railways have also prepared a master plan to upgrade the existing station by 2015. The master plan includes a multi-level parking, a new building, two additional platforms and a flyover on Master Canteen round about.

The ECoR had also made an estimation of Rs 205 crore for the up gradation of the city railway station. ECoR in February had started installation of closed circuit cameras under Integrated Security System.