Students at the Railway Design Centre of the National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, have created a new ‘parcel trolley’ for Indian Railways. This innovation aims to enhance parcel handling efficiency on railway platforms. The collaboration between Indian Railways and NID is focused on modernizing railway stations and enhancing passenger amenities until 2035.
The ‘parcel trolley’ emerged as a successful innovation from experiments conducted by NID students related to railway operations. Following trials, the trolley, known for its lightweight design, has received positive feedback from porters at Ahmedabad’s Kalupur Railway Station. The trolley’s usability and ease of handling were highlighted during the testing phase.
Namit Sharma, Head of Transportation and Automobile Design at NID, emphasized the importance of porter feedback in refining the trolley design. The trolley’s design prioritizes lightness, functionality, and efficiency, aiming to improve the overall parcel transportation experience. Modifications are underway based on initial trials to enhance the trolley’s performance further.
Railway officials are working on incorporating additional features like rollers into the trolley structure to facilitate smoother movement and loading efficiency. The upgraded trolley is expected to be rolled out at stations soon for regular parcel transportation, with a focus on streamlining parcel loading onto trains. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the trolley meets the ergonomic needs of porters and enhances operational speed on crowded railway platforms.
