Lok Sabha Question No. 2002 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-07
Subject: Facilities for Disabled Persons
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RATTAN LAL KATARIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2002 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.03.2018

## FACILITIES FOR DISABLED PERSONS

†2002.  SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  provides  wheel  chair/battery  operated vehicles,  escalators  and  coaches  having  the  brail  facilities  for the disabled and Divyangs in trains and platforms;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, zone-wise;
- (c) the number of such railway stations where facility of escalators/elevators  is  available  to  cross  foot  over  bridge  to reach  on  one  platform  to  the  other  for  senior  citizens/disabled and Divyangs;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  any  new  steps  for providing facility to disabled/Divyangs and senior citizens; and
- (e) 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. 2002 BY SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.03.2018 REGARDING FACILITIES FOR DISABLED PERSONS

- (a)  &  (b):  No,  Madam.  At  present,  the  Braille  facility  on  wheelchairs/ battery  operated  vehicles  &  escalators  are  not  available  in  Indian Railways.  However,  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.
- (c): Railways has provided 467 escalators at 171 railway stations and 318  elevators at 134  railway stations for senior citizens/disabled/ Divyangs.
- (d) & (e): Yes, Madam. 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.

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