Facilities for Disabled/Senior Citizens at Railway Stations There are facilities exist for disabled/senior citizens at railway stations. 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. 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. 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. 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. This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
