Railways roll out disability-friendly upgrades at 597 stations

by Psu Connect
Date: 18-01-24

According to the statement issued by railway officials, 1,287 escalators at 372 stations and 1,292 lifts at 497 stations were established in respective domains till December last year.

Railways roll out disability-friendly upgrades at 597 stations

As per the part of the government’s ‘Sugamya Bharat Mission’ or ‘ Accessible India Campaign, as many as 597 railway stations, approximately, are now equipped with either escalators or lifts to make them accessible for persons with disabilities.

According to the statement issued by railway officials, 1,287 escalators at 372 stations and 1,292 lifts at 497 stations were established in respective domains till December last year. The Indian Railways is committed to making its railway stations and trains accessible for ‘divyangjans’ as part of the ‘Sugamya Bharat Mission’ or ‘Accessible India Campaign’.

The provisional data provided by the railways shows that till December 2014, there were 143 escalators and 97 lifts available at across stations. Between 2014 and 2023, 1,144 escalators and 1,195 elevators were installed. During the calendar year 2023, 128 escalators and 227 lifts were provided.

Provisions of facilities for persons with Disabilities [Divyangjan] are to be provided at all stations over Indian Railways based on the needs of the travelling public and availability of funds. As per the revised policy guidelines of Indian Railways, Escalators are to be provided at railway stations having footfall of more than twenty-five thousand and at railway stations at state capital and millennium cities.

Lifts are being provided depending upon the relative priority of various stations and the availability of resources and feasibility for the provision of lifts. To provide better accessibility to persons with Disabilities, Short Term Facilities and Long Term facilities have been planned at all stations, including erstwhile B category stations.