New Delhi H live
Manoj Sinha, MoS for Railways said on Wednesday that we will provide better accessibility to passengers with disabilities.
While answering a question in Lok Sabha Sinha said, that there will be standard ramp for barrier free entry, earmarking on two parking zones, non-slippery walk way from parking lot to building, signage of appropriate visibility.
Apart from this there will be at least 1 toilet on ground floor and suitable water tap for differently-abled persons would be set-up soon on the stations. With this there will be ‘May I help you’ booth to help the people.
Sinha said that the improvement of amenities at stations, including those for differently-abled passengers is a continuous process.
The short term facilities that have been planned at all stations, beginning with A-1, A B category stations, to provide better accessibility to passengers with disabilities:
In addition, long term facilities, including provision of facility for inter-platform transfer and engraving on edges of platform have also been planned at A-1, A B category stations, said the minister.
Instructions also exist for provision of wheel chairs at stations, and the user is duly escorted by porters (on payment) as per present practice.
The minister said the Railways have incorporated nearly 3300 coaches that are suited for the needs of the differently-abled people and have wider entrance doors for wheelchair access among other facilities.
3300 coaches that are designed Further, SLRD (Second Class Cum Luggage Cum Guard Van Disabled friendly compartment) coaches and Power Cars for Garib Rath trains having provisions for compartment for disabled persons with air-conditioning are already in service. Presently, around 3300 such coaches are in service. These coaches have wider entrance doors for wheelchair access. Besides, following features are also provided in these coaches: –
For assistance to visually impaired travellers, Braille signages are provided on newly manufactured coaches. Retrofitting on existing coaches has also been taken up in a phased manner, informed the minister.
