The Ministry of Railways on Wednesday stated a complete 597 railway stations are actually geared up with both escalators or lifts in order that they’re accessible for the aged and individuals with disabilities, information company PTI reported. In line with the ministry, these amenities have been put in as a part of the federal government’s “Sugamya Bharat Mission” or “Accessible India Marketing campaign”.
The nationwide transporter stated, “The Indian Railways is dedicated to make its railways stations and trains accessible for ‘divyangjans’ as a part of the ‘Sugamya Bharat Mission’ or ‘Accessible India Marketing campaign’. The ministry additionally added “Enchancment/augmentation of facilities, together with these for ‘divyangjans’ is a steady course of at railway stations. In an effort to facilitate simple motion of the aged, the sick and ‘divyangjans’, and for clean entry to platforms of main railway stations and for ease of motion, lifts/escalators are being supplied as a part of the ‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan’.”
In line with information supplied by the Railways, 1,287 escalators at 372 stations and 1,292 lifts at 497 stations have been supplied until December final 12 months. There have been 143 escalators and 97 lifts obtainable at throughout stations until December 2014. Later from 2014 to 2023, 1,144 escalators and 1,195 elevators have been put in. In 2023, there have been 128 escalators and 227 lifts obtainable.
Activists, nevertheless, insisted that elevators be put in first as a result of they’re a extra sensible technique of motion for these with locomotor disabilities than escalators.
On the precedence of escalators over elevators by the Railways, Dr Satendra Singh, Director Professor on the College School of Medical Sciences (UCMS) and Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, stated, “The Indian Railways has failed to grasp that escalators aren’t appropriate technique of egress for passengers with locomotor disabilities and senior residents. Regardless of our representations, escalators are mistakenly prioritised over elevators”.
“Not like metro railways, the persisting gaps and elevations at railway stations make them unfriendly to disabled people, regardless of having lifts on the outskirts,” a differently-abled activist, working with the federal government instructed the information company.