Business Standard

A bug in the buggie

Without prominent signs it is hard for disabled people to use buggies at busy railway stations

Steering wheel
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STEER CLEAR Buggies for the New Delhi railway station were donated in 2012. Five years down the line most of them are not in working order. Photo: istock

Bibek Debroy
Indian Railways (IR) has a 2009 manual on standards and specifications for railway stations. This states: “Handicap accessibility at Indian railway stations is essential, as it facilitates access for elderly and physically challenged transit customers and employees. Indian Railways is committed to providing a barrier-free environment, which provides a high level of customer service especially to the elderly, mobility impaired, and disabled.” When will we see railway stations that ensure such handicap accessibility, not to speak of broader standards and specifications?  In 2019, perhaps 2020. Not everywhere, but in stations like Anand Vihar, Bijwasan, Chandigarh, Habibganj, Shivaji Nagar, Surat, Mohali
Disclaimer: These are personal views of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of www.business-standard.com or the Business Standard newspaper

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