Improvement/augmentation
of amenities at stations, including those for differently abled passengers is a
continuous process. In order to provide better accessibility to passengers with
disabilities, short term facilities as detailed below have been planned at all
stations, beginning with ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘B’ category stations:-
Standard ramp
for barrier free entry
Earmarking at
least two parking lots
Non-slippery
walk-way from parking lot to building
Signages of
appropriate visibility
At least one
toilet (on the ground floor)
At least one
drinking water tap suitable for use by differently-abled persons
‘May I help
you’ Booth
In addition, long term
facilities, as detailed below, have also been planned at ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘B’
category stations:-
Provision of
facility for inter-platform transfer
Engraving on
edges of platform
Instructions also exist
for provision of Wheel Chair at stations. This facility is provided, duly
escorted by coolies (on payment) as per present practice. Moreover, Zonal
Railways have been authorized to introduce ‘Battery Operated Vehicles’ at major
Railway Stations for Disabled, Old Aged and sick passengers on first come first
served basis.
Indian Railways have
manufactured about 3450 SLRD/SRD coaches (SLRD-Second Class Cum Luggage Cum
Guard Van & Disabled friendly compartment, SRD- Second Class Cum Guard Van
& Disabled friendly compartment) which have a suitably designed compartment
& toilet adapted to the needs of disabled/wheel chair borne passengers. In
SLRD coaches, wider entrance door for wheel chair borne passengers, wider
berths, wider compartments, space for provision of Wheel chair, larger lavatory
and lavatory doors have been provided. Inside the toilets, additional grab
rails on the side walls for support, wash basin and mirror at lower height have
provided. It is endeavored to have at least one such coach in each Mail/Express
train.
Further, the fully air
conditioned Garib Rath trains have been provided with an Air conditioned
disabled friendly compartment & toilets in the power cars. For assistance
to visually impaired travelers, Braille signages are now being provided in
newly manufactured coaches.
In order to facilitate
easy movement of elderly and differently abled passengers, as per the existing
guidelines, ‘A-1’ category stations qualify for provision of
escalators/elevators while ‘A’ category, ‘C’ category and stations of tourist
importance qualify for provision of escalators under ‘Desirable Amenities’. So
far, 316 no. of escalators at 129 stations & 178 no. of lifts at 79
stations have been provided across Indian Railways. Provision of lifts and
escalators at stations is a continuous process and is done as per need,
priority of work and availability of funds.
This
Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for
Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on
23.11.2016 (Wednesday).
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AKS/MKV/DK