Lok Sabha Question No. 3015 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Special Facilities for the Disabled
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3015 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED

3015. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  providing/proposes  to  provide  any special facilities and privileges to the passengers with disabilities; and (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b): Improvement/augmentation of amenities at stations, including those for differently abled passengers is a continuous process. In order to  provide  better  accessibility  to  passengers  with  disabilities,  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 building.
- Signages of appropriate visibility.
- At least one toilet (on the ground floor).
-  At  least  one  drinking  water  tap  suitable  for  use  by  differentlyabled persons.
-  '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.

Further, as per the existing guidelines, 'A-1' category stations qualify for  provision  of  escalators/elevators  while  'A'  category,  'C'  category and  stations  of  tourist  importance  qualify  for  provision  of  escalators under  desirable  amenities.  277  escalators  and  112  lifts  have  been provided at various stations till November, 2015.

Instructions  also  exist  for  provision  of  Wheel  Chairs  at  stations. This facility is provided, duly escorted by porters (on payment) as per present practice.

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 airconditioning  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:

- (i) Wider  entrance  doors  of  920mm  width  against  782mm  in conventional body side doors.
- (ii) Handrails on side walls for providing assistance to the disabled.
- (iii)  Wider  aisle  of  1050mm  instead  of  usual  570mm  (the  seats alongside the sidewall have been removed).
- (iv) Wider cushioned Berths -707mm  instead  of conventional coaches.
- 607mm  in
- (v) To accommodate wheel chairs, space between berths increased to 1201mm against usual 542mm.
- (vi) Larger Lavatory: 1947mm X 1947mm instead of 1540mm X 1189mm.
- (vii) Wider lavatory door provided: 840mm instead of usual 520mm.
- (viii) Additional grab rails provided in the lavatory.
- (ix) Lower height of wash basin and mirror in the toilet.

For  assistance  to  visually  impaired  travellers,  Braille  signages  are provided  on  newly  manufactured  coaches.  Retrofitment  on  existing coaches has also been taken up in a phased manner.

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