New Delhi: In order to provide better accessibility to Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), short term facilities as detailed below have been planned at all stations, beginning with ‘A-1’, ‘A’ and ‘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 Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)
• ‘May I help you’ Booth
In addition, long term facilities, as detailed below, have also been planned at ‘A-1’, ‘A’ and ‘B’ category stations:-
• Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer
• Engraving on edges of platform
In order to facilitate easy movement of elderly, sick and Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) and for smooth access to platforms at major railway stations, escalators have been planned at all ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘C’ category stations with footfall of 25,000 and above and stations of tourist importance. These escalators shall be provided progressively at all such stations.
So far, 456 escalators at 170 stations and 298 lifts at 132 stations have been provided. Further, work is in progress for about 320 nos. of escalators at 129 stations and 338 nos. of lifts at 102 stations. Additionally 372 escalators have been sanctioned for Mumbai Sub-urban sections in current Financial Year (2017-18) on Out-of-Turn basis. In addition, proposal to install additional lifts and escalators on stations covering ‘A-1’, ‘A’ and important ‘C’ category stations are being planned.
Availability of Wheelchairs on Platforms:Instructions already exist for provision of Wheelchair at stations. This facility is provided, duly escorted by coolies (on payment) as per present practice. Zonal Railways have also been instructed to provide one wheelchair per platform and in case of island platforms one wheelchair per two platforms at all ‘A-1’ and ‘A’ category stations.
Battery Operated Cars (BOCs): Zonal Railways have been authorized to introduce Battery Operated Cars at major railway stations for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), elderly and ailing passengers on ‘first come first served’ basis through sponsorship from individuals, NGOs, Trusts, Charitable institutions, Corporate and PSUs/Corporate Houses under their Corporate Social Responsibility free of charge to passenger or to the Railway. 110 Battery Operated Cars have already been provided at 63 major railway stations. Further, instructions have also been issued to Zonal Railways to invite Expression of Interest for providing the facility of Battery Operated Car service on payment basis initially at all ‘A-1’ category stations keeping in view the financial sustainability of the service. This facility can be availed by passengers on ‘first come first served’ basis; preference shall however be given to Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), pregnant women and medically sick passengers.
Yatri Mitra Sewa: ‘Yatri Mitra Sewa’ is being provided at major stations for enabling passengers to book wheelchair services cum Porter services etc. The responsibility of providing Yatri Mitra Sewa is entrusted to IRCTC who may provide this service ‘Free of cost’ through some NGOs, PSUs etc. under CSR or on payment basis. This service can be booked on IRCTC e-ticketing website and 139 (IVRS and SMS) or through a mobile.
Indian Railways have manufactured more than 3,700 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 and toilet adapted to the needs of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)/wheelchair borne passengers. In SLRD/SRD coaches, wider entrance door, wider berths, wider compartments, larger lavatory and lavatory doors etc. have been provided. Inside the toilets, additional grab rails on the side walls for support, wash basin and mirror at lower height have been provided. It is endeavored to have at least one such Integral Coach Factory (ICF) design coach in each Mail/Express train running with ICF coaches. Further, the fully air conditioned (WRRMDAC) Garib Rath trains have been provided with an Air conditioned Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) friendly compartment in the power cars. For assistance to visually impaired travelers, Integrated Braille signages, i.e. signages superimposed with Braille scripts, are being provided in the newly manufactured coaches. Further, retrofitment of the same in existing coaches has also been taken up in a phased manner.
The expenditure on development of Passenger Amenities works including those for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) at Railway Stations is generally funded under Plan Head – ‘Passenger Amenities’.
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 Rajya Sabha today.
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