Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers at Railway Stations

There are more than 8000 railway stations on Indian Railways with approximately 14,700 platforms. Based on the passenger earnings, these stations are categorized as ‘A-1’, ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘E’ and ‘F’ category. Facilities for physically handicapped passengers at stations are provided in terms of short term and long term facilities. Short term facilities are available at most of the ‘A-1’, ‘A’ and ‘B’ category stations which deal with approximately 75 per cent of passenger traffic. Items under short term facilities are as under:-

I. Provision of standard ramp with railing for barrier free entry.
II. Earmarking at least one parking lot for two vehicles used by physically challenged persons.
III. Provision of a non-slippery walkway from parking lot to building.
IV. Provision of signages of appropriate visibility.
V. Provision of at least one drinking water tap suitable for use by a disabled person.
VI. Provision of at least one toilet on the ground floor.
VII. ‘May I help You’ Booth.

Long Term Facilities comprise arrangements for inter platform transfer and engraving on edges of platform. Arrangements for inter platform transfer is available at most of the ‘A-1’, ‘A’ and ‘B’ category stations. These facilities are planned to be provided progressively at remaining stations after provision of short term facilities.

It is planned to provide 100 escalators at 50 important railway stations and other places of religious, historical and tourists importance.

Indian Railways are manufacturing passenger coaches with special designed compartment and European toilet pans adapted to the need of physically challenged passengers/senior citizens. Public conveniences in the form of toilets for physically challenged passengers/senior citizens are available at most of the ‘A-1’, ‘A’ and ‘B’ category stations.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: PIB