Indian Railways Is Planning to Introduce These 5 Helpful Facilities for People with Disabilities

Indian Railways is planning to introduce many facilities for differently-abled passengers at stations. The Minister of State for Railways, Manoj Sinha, spoke of these plans in the Rajya Sabha on Saturday. Currently, wheelchairs with escorts and battery operated vehicles are available at some stations for people with disabilities, senior citizens and passengers who are unwell.

Here are some of the changes being planned:

1. Standard ramps at the entrance of stations to ensure easy entry for people on wheelchairs.

Picture for representation only. Source: Wikimedia

2. At least two parking lots reserved for people with disabilities.

Picture for representation only. Source: Flickr

3. A walkway from the parking lot to the station building.

4. At least one dedicated toilet on the ground floor of the station and one drinking water tap that can be used by people with disabilities.

Picture for representation only. Source: Flickr

5. Facilities for inter-platform transfer and Braille engravings on the edges of the platform for the visually impaired.

According to reports, these facilities will be introduced at A-1, A and B category stations. Indian Railways classifies stations into seven categories based on the income they earn from passengers, which is an indicator of passenger traffic. These are A1, A, B, C, D, E and F. An A1 category railway station is a non-suburban railway station, which has annual passenger earnings of more than Rs. 50 crore.

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