The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Integrated mobility system for disabled in railway stations

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Integrated mobility system for disabled in railway stations

J. Malarvizhi

CHENNAI: An integrated mobility system for the physically challenged and the elderly was demonstrated to railway officials on Wednesday at the Chennai Central Station.

The manufacturers of the system’s key components, Callidai Motor Works, have also given the authorities an undertaking that they would provide the equipment free of cost with the help of sponsors.

For Mumbai-based architect and senior citizen C.S.K. Raj, the demonstration was the culmination of a long exchange of letters and battle of wills with the officialdom.

He began corresponding a few years ago with the then Railway Minister Nitish Kumar to convince him of the merits of his proposed ‘Reach Out System’ to cross foot over bridges and a new wheelchair system to help persons from their vehicles to their compartments.

Except Chennai Central, where all platforms can be reached easily by a newly-introduced vehicle for transporting those who need assistance with mobility, most stations require negotiating foot overbridges to reach other platforms.

This space can be made accessible to the physically challenged by providing lifts that can move passengers across platforms, he suggested.

The motorised wheelchair is the key feature in the provision of mobility, Mr. C.S.K. Raj said.

The chair can assist users till the train compartment and the seat mechanically lifted to the level of the compartment entry.

Finally, Mr. C.S.K. Raj received a letter last week from Southern Railway asking for a demonstration.

Following the demonstration on Wednesday, a joint meeting with the officials concerned was held at the office of the stationmaster and Bhargav Sundaram, proprietor, Callidai Motor Works, asked for a letter detailing the proposal.

Mr. Sundaram has undertaken to produce sufficient numbers of the system for stations in the country, fund the entire cost including that of drivers, maintenance and other incidental or recurring costs through sponsors and make the service available for embarkation and disembarkation free of cost.

The response of the railways is being awaited, Mr. C.S.K. Raj said.

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