(a) whether the facility of wheel chairs has been provided for the disabled and senior citizens at all railway stations across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the timeline for making provision of wheel chairs at all railway stations and the funds likely to be incurred in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
(a) to (c): Instructions exist for provision of Wheelchairs at stations. This facility is provided, duly escorted by coolies (on payment) as per present practice. However, Zonal Railways have also been advised to provide one wheelchair per platform and in case of island platforms, one wheelchair per two platforms at all A-1 and A category stations. Moreover, General Managers have also been authorised to reduce/increase the number of wheelchairs to be provided at stations based on the passenger traffic handled at the station and the assessed requirement of wheelchairs at the stations. Funds in this regard are generally incurred under Plan Head – ‘Passenger Amenities’.
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