Rail Budget 2013: Disabled say many hurdles in the way

The railway budget promises to make travel for the disabled and elderly more comfortable and accessible. However, the proposed measures tackle only a part of the problem, say experts. While these measures have been welcomed by disabled rights activists, they say this is just a small beginning.

For Sitaram from Bokaro, whom TOI met at New Delhi Railway Station, the issue is not one of non-availability of wheelchairs or a disabled-friendly coach. He faces a problem in even accessing the disabled-friendly measures already in place.

"Though I was able to make my way to the disabled-friendly coach, I had difficulty boarding it. The train and platform are not at the same level and there is also a gap between the coach and platform," he said. He finds it difficult to walk because of a genetic deformity. "Moreover, I had a lot of difficulty in descending the steps that connect the platforms," he said.

The Railways will increase the number of elevators, escalators and wheelchairs at stations. Braille stickers indicating layout plans of coaches will be introduced and wheelchair-friendly coaches inducted. "It is a welcome decision that for the first time a railway minister has considered coaches in general to be wheelchair friendly. We have been asking for this for quite some time," said Javed Abidi of National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People. "But there are other issues to be addressed. Ticket booking for the disabled is one of them. Moreover, connectivity between platforms is needed."

Elaborating on this, Abha Negi, director of NGO Svayam, said New Delhi Railway Station could adopt the Agra model. "The platforms are interconnected by big ramps in Agra. The stations in the capital — especially New Delhi Railway Station — do not have that interconnectivity. One has to travel through the passage used by luggage vans which goes across the railway tracks," said Negi.

"Moreover, the basic designs are not properly implemented. For instance, the tactile blocks that guide the visually impaired run into walls, railings etc. Also, the descent to the platform from the escalator is marked by a step without a warning tactile block," she added. She also questioned the station's accessibility for the hearing and visually impaired.

The principal of JPM Senior Secondary School for the Blind , K J Kurian, wondered if the measures will be properly implemented. "Proper designing of these coaches is very important. You may bring more disabled-friendly coaches but whether they adhere to standards and design need to be seen," he said.

Amba Salelkar of Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability Law and Policy highlighted the need for staff sensitization. "The physical equipment is one aspect that the ministry is addressing. But there is a lot of abuse that disabled persons face while travelling. Official sensitization should also be looked into," said Salelkar.

Recently, the Equal Rights Trust Foundation and Human Rights Law Network had carried out a study based on the testimonies of 120 persons with disabilities in 19 states. Based on their testimonies, the group released a set of four recommendations for policy makers. "There is an urgent need to pass the Prevention of Torture Bill with clauses for protection of people with disabilities. Monitoring of institutions and training of police personnel and armed forces should also be made mandatory," Oliver Lewis, executive director of Mental Disability Advocacy Centre, said.


Source : TOI , 27th feb 2013 ( Delhi)