Question : Reservation of Berths for Disabled

(a) whether cases of allotting upper berths in trains to the disabled passengers including wheel chair-bound para-athletes have come to the notice of the Government during each of the last three years and the current year;

(b) if so, the details thereof, zone-wise and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry in such cases, if so, the details and outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the number of officials found guilty and punished in such cases so far;

(d) whether the Government has developed disabled friendly infrastructure at all the stations of the country, if so, the details thereof, zone-wise and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure lower berths to disabled passengers and disabled friendly infrastructure at all the stations of the country along with achievements thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.585 BY DR. SATYAPAL SINGH AND SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 19.07.2017 REGARDING RESERVATION OF BERTHS FOR DISABLED.

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Recently, a case has been reported where a person with disability, Ms. Suvarna Raj, who is also an international para-athelete, was allotted upper berth in Train no. 12611 Chennai – Nizamuddin Garib Rath Express for journey dated 10.06.2017 from Nagpur to Nizamuddin.

In Garib Rath express trains, a specially designed coach for persons with disability known as (SLRD) coach is attached where four berths, two lower berths and two upper berths are available for travel of persons with disability. In one such coach of above mentioned train, a person with disability had booked a ticket along with an attendant whose age was 62 years. Since the attendant was senior citizen, the system allotted both lower berths – one to person with disability and second to attendant leaving both upper berths vacant. When the next person with disability, Ms. Suvarna Raj booked accommodation ex. Nagpur in this train, the system allotted the available upper berths to her and her attendant. It was also found that at the time of booking of accommodation by Ms. Suvarna Raj, there was no vacancy in general quota.

(d) & (e) : In order to provide better accessibility to persons with disability, short term facilities as detailed below have been planned at all stations, beginning with ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘B’ category stations:
• Standard ramp for barrier free entry.
• Earmarking at least two parking lots.
• Non-slippery walk-way from parking lot to station building.
• Signages of appropriate visibility.
• At least one drinking water tap suitable for use by differently-abled persons.
• At least one toilet (on the ground floor).
• ‘May I help you’ Booth.
In addition, long term facilities, as detailed below, have been planned at ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘B’ category stations
• Engraving on edges of platform.
• Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer.

Zone-wise details of railway stations provided with facilities for persons with disability as on 31.05.2017 is appended.

With a view to ensuring allotment of lower berths to persons with disability, following steps have been taken:-
(i) In addition to four berths in Sleeper class being earmarked for persons with disability(2 lower berths for the persons with disability and two upper/middle berths, for the escort) it has been decided to earmark a reservation quota of two berths in 3AC for persons with disability (lower for persons with disability and middle for their attendant). This is in addition to existing facility of booking in SLRD coaches of Garib Rath Express trains available to the persons with disability.
(ii) Instructions have also been issued to make a provision in the system to allot only lower berths to persons with disability in SLRD coaches of Garib Rath Express trains and upper berth to their attendant irrespective of the age of the attendant. In case any person with disability books accommodation without attendant, the upper berth will be kept vacant and released to RAC/waitlist passengers at the time of preparation of reservation charts.
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