‘Ambitious’ plans announced for elderly, disabled
28 Feb 2015 5:19 AM IST
With an aim to make travelling through Indian Railways a better experience, in the Railway Budget announced on Thursday, more facilities for the differently-abled people and the senior citizens have been added. However, the differently-abled are apprehensive whether or not these “ambitious” plans will ever be tuned into the “practical” mode.
“A lot is being said to make travelling easier. But I doubt if they will be implemented. Travelling by train is a menace for us. We have a quota for the disabled in trains, but despite that we are unable to procure seats. Trains have coaches, which are only for the disabled, but they are mostly occupied by the general people. No steps are taken by officials to put such things in order,” said Sidharth Mohite, a Delhi University student, who is hearing-impaired.
This year, the Railway Budget has introduced the facility of online booking for wheel-chairs on payment basis for senior citizens, patients and disabled passengers to be provided on selected stations. The present ladders used for climbing upper berths will be replaced to make them user-friendly. TTEs would also be instructed to help senior citizens, pregnant women and differently-abled people. Also, a folding ladder would be made available in coaches for easy climbing.
Taking a jibe at the online ticketing process and quota system, visually-impaired Pankaj Singh said:
“I don’t find anything new in the Railway Budget. There have been provisions, but they are never implemented. When we go to stations asking for seats under quota, they always say they are full. The coaches for disabled people in trains are at extreme ends. We want them to be in the middle. Moreover, orthopaedic people are not allowed to book singular tickets. They are required to travel with assistants. Such issues should be addressed.”
In the Railway Budget, it has also been announced that for the differently-abled, a special initiative is being launched, whereby they can purchase concessional e-tickets after one-time registration. “If concessional tickets are provided to us, it will be a big relief,” said Pankaj.
For senior citizens, a proposal to add to the quota of lower berths for senior citizens has been made. “We don’t get lower berths easily. And, for us it is very difficult to climb up to the upper berths. If this proposal is implemented, it will be beneficial for us,” said a senior citizen.
“A lot is being said to make travelling easier. But I doubt if they will be implemented. Travelling by train is a menace for us. We have a quota for the disabled in trains, but despite that we are unable to procure seats. Trains have coaches, which are only for the disabled, but they are mostly occupied by the general people. No steps are taken by officials to put such things in order,” said Sidharth Mohite, a Delhi University student, who is hearing-impaired.
This year, the Railway Budget has introduced the facility of online booking for wheel-chairs on payment basis for senior citizens, patients and disabled passengers to be provided on selected stations. The present ladders used for climbing upper berths will be replaced to make them user-friendly. TTEs would also be instructed to help senior citizens, pregnant women and differently-abled people. Also, a folding ladder would be made available in coaches for easy climbing.
Taking a jibe at the online ticketing process and quota system, visually-impaired Pankaj Singh said:
“I don’t find anything new in the Railway Budget. There have been provisions, but they are never implemented. When we go to stations asking for seats under quota, they always say they are full. The coaches for disabled people in trains are at extreme ends. We want them to be in the middle. Moreover, orthopaedic people are not allowed to book singular tickets. They are required to travel with assistants. Such issues should be addressed.”
In the Railway Budget, it has also been announced that for the differently-abled, a special initiative is being launched, whereby they can purchase concessional e-tickets after one-time registration. “If concessional tickets are provided to us, it will be a big relief,” said Pankaj.
For senior citizens, a proposal to add to the quota of lower berths for senior citizens has been made. “We don’t get lower berths easily. And, for us it is very difficult to climb up to the upper berths. If this proposal is implemented, it will be beneficial for us,” said a senior citizen.
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