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Facilities By Indian Railways For Disabled Persons

New Delhi: Provision/augmentation of amenities at stations, including those for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) and elderly passengers is a continuous process. In order to provide better accessibility to Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) and elderly passengers, short term facilities as detailed below have been planned at all the 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 been planned at ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘B’ category stations:

  • Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer.
  • Engraving on edges of platform.

Details of railway stations provided with facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) are as under:

 S.No. Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) Approx. Number of stations.
1 Standard ramp for barrier free entry 2350
2 Earmarking at least two parking lots 1350
3 Non-slippery walk-way from parking lot to building 1410
4 Signages of appropriate visibility. 1430
5 At least one toilet (on the ground floor). 1850
6 At least one drinking water tap suitable for use by differently-abled persons 1790
7 ‘May I help you’ Booth 1080
8 Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer 1240
9 Engraving on edges of platform 1780

            Railways has decided to provide escalators at all the A1, A & C category stations (footfall 25000 or above). Additionally railways has also planned to provide elevators at 500 more stations. About 3800 disabled friendly Integral Coach Factory (ICF) design coaches are available in the fleet of Indian Railways (IR). These coaches have a suitably designed compartment & toilet adapted to the needs of the disabled/Divyangs. More disabled friendly coaches shall be added to the fleet of IR in the coming years. It is endeavoured to have at least one such ICR 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 disabled friendly compartment in the power cars.

            For the assistance of visually impaired travellers, Integrated Braille signages, i.e. signages superimposed with Braille scripts are being provided in the newly manufactured coaches of Indian Railways (IR). In addition, retro-fitment of the same in existing coaches has also been taken up in a phased manner.

            Railways has provided 467 escalators at 171 railway stations and 318 elevators at 134 railway stations for senior citizens/disabled/ Divyangs.

             This information was made available in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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