CHENNAI: To ensure a barrier-free environment for disabled persons travelling in trains, the Madras High Court has issued a set of guidelines for the Railways in general, and the Central and Egmore railway stations of Chennai in particular.

Passing orders on a public interest litigation petition filed by Rajeev Rajan, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice K. Chandru said, "in order that persons with disabilities may move about independently it is necessary that all built environment should be made accessible."

They directed the Southern Railways to construct ramps on all the main entrances of the Central and Egmore stations to enable the disabled enter without difficulty.

Pointing out that only 28 out of the 40 pairs of trains in Central station, and eight out of the 20 pairs of trains in Egmore, had coaches specially designed for the disabled, the Bench said that there was a need to prepare a scheme for providing specially equipped compartments in all the trains.

The Railways has been directed to frame an appropriate scheme within three months in this regard.

Referring to the Railway's submissions that only a negligible percentage of passengers were disabled and that there was no merit in the demand for specific reservation of berths and special compartments for them, the Judges said, "at least some seats should be reserved for the disabled and if no disabled person is travelling in the train the same compartment can be used for regular passengers."

They directed the Railways to frame an appropriate scheme for reservation of berths/compartments keeping in view the number of disabled persons travelling by train.

Platform amenities

The Railways has been asked to provide drinking water for the disabled at both ends of platforms at Central and Egmore stations.

An assistance booth to help the disabled would also be installed at the stations, they said, adding, "we direct that the disabled persons, who are not accompanied by an escort, should not be denied the concession for the disabled."

The general facilities cannot be used by the disabled, the Bench said, as they are located in a narrow stretch wherein wheel chairs cannot reach.

Therefore, the Railways has been asked to make special arrangements for drinking water and hand wash for these people.

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