Railways Provide Battery Operated Vehicle at Some of Major Stations for Disabled & Old Aged Passengers

The Indian Railways provide ‘Battery Operated Vehicles’ for disabled and old aged passengers free of cost at some of the major railway stations. Provision/augmentation of amenities at stations, including those for differently abled 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 differently - abled 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. Instructions also exist for provision of wheel chairs at stations. This facility is provided, duly escorted by collies (on payment) as per present practice.

Provision of escalators at ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘C” category stations and stations of tourist importance is a part of ‘Desirable Amenities’ and are planned on need basis depending upon techno commercial feasibility & availability of funds. Provision of lifts has also been planned at important Railway stations.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.