Lok Sabha Question No. 6104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Passenger Facilities at Adarsh Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6104 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## PASSENGER FACILITIES AT ADARSH STATIONS

6104. DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  an  audit  report  by  the  Comptroller  and  Auditor General  of  India  (CAG)  found  deficiencies/defects  in  passenger facilities  at  most  of  the  'Adarsh'  railway  stations  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to address the deficiencies of passenger amenities pointed out by CAG in its report;
- (c)  whether  pay-and-use  toilets  and  X-ray  scanners  have  been established at all the stations and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  facilities  for  the  physically  challenged  passengers have been adequately provided and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  whether  the  Railway  Board  regularly  monitors  stations  for cleanliness and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.6104  BY  DR.  KIRIT  P.  SOLANKI  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  04.04.2018  REGARDING  PASSENGER FACILITIES AT ADARSH STATIONS

(a)  &  (b):  The  Comptroller  and  Auditor  General  (C&AG)'s  Report No.13 of 2016 (Railways) has noticed deficiencies in the following four amenities at some stations developed as Adarsh Stations:-

- 1) Pay & Use Toilets
- 2) Signages
- 3) Waiting Rooms with TV and bathing facilities for Upper Classes
- 4) Waiting Rooms with TV and bathing facilities for other Classes

The norms for provision of amenities under 'Adarsh' Station Scheme were first introduced in 2009 which were later revised in August, 2013.  The comparison of amenities to be provided as per norms of 2009 vis-à-vis norms of 2013 is tabulated below:-

|   S.No. | Amenities                                                      | As per norms of 2009                   | As per norms of 2013                                              |
|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Pay & Use Toilets                                              | To be provided at 'A1' to 'E' category | To be provided at 'A1' to 'E' category                            |
|       2 | Signages                                                       | To be provided upto 'D' category       | To be provided upto 'E' category                                  |
|       3 | Waiting Rooms with TV and bathing facilities for Upper Classes | Not included in identified amenities   | To be provided at 'A1' & 'A' category                             |
|       4 | Waiting Rooms with TV and bathing facilities for other Classes | Not included in identified amenities   | To be provided at 'A1', 'A' & 'B' category with bathing facility. |

In the revised guidelines of 2013, it was also mentioned that these guidelines shall be effective for only those 'Adarsh' stations which were identified in the year 2013-14 and onwards.

As far as Item (1) is concerned, instructions have been issued by Railway Board to the Zonal Railways that wherever Pay & Use Toilets are not feasible, departmental toilets are to be provided as per  extant  guidelines  for  provision  of  amenities  under  'Adarsh' Station Scheme. For item (2) C&AG has also noticed deficiencies of signages  at  E  category  stations,  which  were  identified  under 'Adarsh' Station Scheme  before  2013  and  hence  provision  of signages was not stipulated.  In respect of items (3) and (4) above, it is stated that barring two stations, all other stations were identified prior  to  2013  and  therefore  were  not  required  to  be  provided  with these two facilities. (c):  In order to provide clean & well maintained toilets at stations, Zonal railways award  integrated station cleanliness contracts including cleanliness of toilets at railway stations or award contract for  maintaining  toilets  through  'Pay  &  Use'  or  maintain  them  inhouse  by  deploying  railway  staff  as  per  the  situation  and  site conditions.    Around  800  stations  have  toilets  operated  on  'Pay  & Use' basis. Strengthening  and  up-gradation  of  security  infrastructure  is an  ongoing  process  and based  on the  threat  perception  and  other factors.    As  of  now  X-Ray  Scanners  have  been  installed  at  96 stations for scanning of passenger luggage over Indian Railways. (d):  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' & 'B'

category stations:

-  Standard ramp for barrier free entry.
-  Earmarking at least two parking lots.
-  Non-slippery  walk-way  from  parking  lot  to  station building.
-  Signages of appropriate visibility.
-  At  least  one  drinking  water  tap  suitable  for  use  by Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).
-  At least one toilet (on the ground floor).
- 
- 'May I help you' Booth.

In addition, long term facilities, as detailed below, have been planned at 'A-1', 'A' & 'B' category stations:

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

There are 709 'A-1', 'A' & 'B' category stations catering to the bulk  of  passenger  traffic  on  Indian  Railways,  out  of  which  667 stations have been provided with all short-term facilities. Details of with are railway stations provided with facilities for Persons Disabilities (Divyangjan) under all categories of stations appended.

In  order  to  facilitate  easy  movement  of  elderly,  sick  and Persons  with  Disabilities  (Divyangjan)  and  for  smooth  access  to platforms at major railway stations, 473 escalators at 171 stations and  330  lifts  at  137  stations  have  been  provided  so  far.  Further, work is in progress for 303 nos. of escalators at 115 stations and 306  nos.  of  lifts  at  98  stations.  Additionally  372  escalators  have been  sanctioned  for  Mumbai  Sub-urban  sections  in  financial  year

2017-18 on Out-of-Turn basis.

Further,  in  the  Budget  2017-18,  it  has  been  announced  by Hon'ble Finance Minister that about 500 stations shall be provided with  escalators/lifts  progressively  as  part  of  'Saugamya  Bharat Mission'  at  all  'A-1',  'A'  &  'C'  category  stations  with  footfall  of 25,000 and above and stations of tourist importance.  The proposal 2589  crores  for

for  the  same  has  been  approved  at  a  cost  of ` escalators and ` 404 crores for lifts. (e):  Maintenance  of  cleanliness  over  the  entire  Indian  Railway network is a continuous endeavour. Regular events on cleanliness are planned and 5organized to improve and maintain cleanliness at Railway premises including toilets, platforms and tracks at railway stations  in  the  mega  cities.  Special  intensive  cleaning  drives  at major Railway  stations have  also  been  undertaken  by  Zonal Railways.  Swachchhta Pakhwadas are also taken up every year to ensure continued emphasis on cleanliness. Campaigns for increasing  the  awareness  and  participation  from  all  sections  viz. Railway staff, Railway users/public as well as Charitable Institutions/Social  Organisations,  were  5organized  at  many  major stations.  Enforcement  of  Indian  Railways  (Penalties  for  activities affecting  cleanliness  at  railway  premises)  Rules,  2012  has  also been intensified. Regular inspections are conducted by various officials at the railway  stations  to  monitor  cleanliness  and  also  to  identify  weak areas to take remedial measures. Drives are launched from time to time particularly during rush seasons to have intensive monitoring. Stations are inspected for improving cleanliness by Service Improvement Groups at stations, Divisions and Headquarter levels and remedial action is taken on the deficiencies noticed.

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APPENDIX REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6104 BY DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.04.2018 REGARDING PASSENGER FACILITIES AT ADARSH STATIONS The details of railway stations provided with facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) under all categories of stations are as under:

|   S.No. | Facility for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)                                        |   Approximate number of stations, where facility provided |
|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Standard ramp for barrier free entry                                                       |                                                      2435 |
|       2 | Earmarking at least two parking lots                                                       |                                                      1360 |
|       3 | Non-slippery walk-way from parking lot to station building                                 |                                                      1415 |
|       4 | Signages of appropriate visibility                                                         |                                                      1435 |
|       5 | At least one drinking water tap suitable for use by Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) |                                                      1870 |
|       6 | At least one toilet (on the ground floor)                                                  |                                                      1820 |
|       7 | May I help you booth                                                                       |                                                      1090 |
|       8 | Engraving on edges of platforms                                                            |                                                      1785 |
|       9 | Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer                                          |                                                      1240 |

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