Lok Sabha Question No. 2190 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Facilities for Disabled/Senior Citizens at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS, GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ, RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK, PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL, RAGHAV LAKHANPAL, MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE, PREM DAS RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2190

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015

## FACILITIES FOR DISABLED/SENIOR CITIZENS AT RAILWAY STATIONS

†2190.

SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK:

DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

SHRI RAGHAV LAKHANPAL:

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways provide various facilities like wheel chair/battery operated vehicles, escalators, braille enabled coaches for differently abled/disabled people in trains and at all the categories of railway stations to make them disabled friendly;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  names  of  such  stations identified for the purpose including B Category of railway stations, zone-wise including Tamil Nadu;
- (c) whether the Railways propose to install escalators/elevator facilities  at  all  the  railway  stations  to  make  the  foot  overbridges accessible to the senior citizens and differently abled people and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the other steps being taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for improving accessibility of differently abled people in Railways; and
- (e) whether the Railways have provided wheel chair and other passenger facilities at the railway stations in Delhi through various Non-Government Organisation particularly Rotary Club of Delhi and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) and (b): Yes, Madam. Instructions already exist for provision of Wheel Chair  at  stations  including  B  category  stations.  This  facility  is  provided, duly escorted by coolies (on payment) as per present practice. Moreover, Zonal  Railways  have  also  been  advised  to  provide  free  of  cost  'Battery Operated Vehicles for Disabled and Old Aged Passengers' at major Railway Stations. (c):  Instructions  already  exist  for  provision  of  escalators/elevator  at  'A-1' category and escalators at 'A' category, 'C' category and stations of tourist importance under desirable amenities. The provision of escalators/lifts on a  particular  location  is  based  on  above  guidelines  &  techno  commercial feasibility. So far, 244 no. of escalators at 96 Railway stations & 101 no. of lifts at 44 Railway stations have been provided over the Indian Railways. In addition, 400 escalators at 171 Railway stations & 400 no. of lifts at 168 Railway stations have been sanctioned across Indian Railways, which will be provided progressively as per availability of fund. (d):  Almost  all  Mail/Express  trains  (except  special  type  of  trains  like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Janshatabdi, AC Special, Duronto) including Garib Rath trains  have  been  provided  with  one  disabled  friendly  coach.  Besides, attachment of such coaches is an on-going process and efforts are on to provide such coaches in all Mail/Express trains as also in short distance passenger trains. Provision/augmentation of amenities at stations, including those for disabled  passengers  is  a  continuous  process.  Short  term  facilities  like 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 disabled persons and 'May I help You' Booth, have been planned at all stations beginning with 'A1', 'A' and 'B' category stations.  Long  term  facilities  viz.  Provision  of  facility  for  inter-platform transfer and engraving on edges of platform, are planned after provision of short term facilities. (e):  Yes,  Madam.  At  New  Delhi  railway  station,  wheel  chairs  have  been provided by a NGO. However, wheel chairs are not provided by Rotary Club of Delhi at railway stations in Delhi.

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