WASHINGTON — Every Indian railway station should be made fully accessible for physically challenged people by incorporating measures according to universal accessibility standards, a non-governmental organization run by Indian American Pranav Desai said ahead of the annual railway budget.
Ramps with proper gradient and holding bars on both sides should be added, allowing wheelchairs to enter and move around in the station along with electric carts as per universal accessibility standards, Voice of Specially Abled People said in a memorandum submitted to Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu ahead of his annual budget.
VoSAP has been advocating for the “Accessible India Campaign” since July 2014 to bring everyone together to change the infrastructure by making buildings, transportation and digital assets fully accessible.
“Based on variables, such as the number of platforms, trains per day, average daily passenger traffic at the station (5 percent of which is assumed to be people with disabilities, including senior citizens) and the type of station, railways should provide suitable solutions and devices for passengers to safely get onto the train,” the memorandum said.
Options suggested include low-cost, foldable ramps; manual wheelchairs at multiple designated locations; elevators that go across platforms; stair lifts that can carry passengers in wheelchairs; power wheelchairs with motorized lifts (instead of foldable ramps) to elevate the wheelchair for safe and easy entry into the railway cart; and existing electric carts with the ability to raise the cart for direct entry to the train.
VoSAP requested that at bigger stations, one ticket booking window be at a lower height for wheelchair passengers. It also requested that there be a similarly designated area that is properly marked for loading and unloading handicapped passengers where porters with wheelchairs are available, as well as a reserved area on the platform close to their reserved coach with proper marking and colors for their safety.
It stressed the need to have multiple electronic sign boards at every platform for announcements displays for the hearing impaired.
As part of a long-term solution, at least one specially designed fully accessible railway car should be added to every train, VoSAP suggested, adding that this carriage should also have a permanent ramp and space for wheelchair movements.
“This will be a permanent solution. As railways modernize, all new passenger cars should meet accessibility requirements. This will also provide a huge export opportunity for producing such accessible carriages to SAARC and African countries,” the memorandum said.
Prabhu announced the annual railway budget Feb. 25.
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