Indian Railways Enhances Accessibility for Senior Citizens and Disabled
Indian Railways is taking significant strides to improve accessibility and support for senior citizens, disabled individuals, and sick passengers. In a recent update shared by Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, it was revealed that railways are now offering free wheelchairs at 5,868 stations for the convenience of these passengers. Additionally, when attendants are unavailable, licensed porters can be hired at nominal rates to assist with boarding and alighting from trains.
Key Accessibility Measures in Place
To better cater to the needs of elderly and disabled travelers, several noteworthy initiatives have been implemented. These include:
- Automatic reservation of lower berths for senior citizens and women aged 45 and over in the computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS), ensuring availability during booking.
- A designated quota of lower berths in various classes, including Sleeper and AC coaches, has been reserved specifically for senior citizens, women, and pregnant women.
- Instructions have been issued to reserve a minimum of seven seats for senior citizens in the general compartments of local trains across all zonal railways.
- Onboard ticket checking staff are authorized to reallocate vacant lower berths to persons with disabilities and seniors who may have been assigned upper berths initially.
Special Provisions for Persons with Disabilities
For passengers with disabilities (Divyangjan), Indian Railways has earmarked several reserved berths in all Mail and Express trains, including popular services like Rajdhani and Shatabdi. This includes:
- Four berths in Sleeper class (two lower, two middle)
- Four berths in three-tier and three AC class coaches
- Dedicated coaches exclusively for disabled passengers in Garib Rath Express trains.
Additionally, at major railway stations, battery-operated vehicles (BOVs) are available on a first-come, first-served basis, giving preference to seniors and disabled passengers. There are currently 196 BOVs at 79 stations, with numerous available for free through corporate sponsorship.
Continued Focus on Passenger Comfort
The ongoing enhancements aim to create a more welcoming and accessible travel experience for all passengers. This commitment to upgrading facilities for the elderly, disabled, and sick individuals demonstrates Indian Railways’ drive towards inclusivity. As these improvements evolve, they underscore the importance of ensuring that all travelers have equal access to rail transport across the country.
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