BENGALURU: The travel plans of disabled rights activist Venkatesh, who frequently uses trains to attend meetings on disability issues across the state, were disrupted many times in the past for no fault of his.The coach for the disabled is placed at the end of train and sometimes placed next to the engine. “In instances where I had missed the train, I had walked until the end of the platform only to be informed that the coach was next to the engine,’’ says Venkatesh, who is also secretary of Karnataka State Disabled and Caregivers Federation (KSDCF).
Due to uncertainty in placing of coaches for the disabled, even escorts carrying luggage miss the train, says KSDCF zonal secretary Arpuda Rajan, who had missed the train while travelling with Venkatesh. Thus, to mount pressure on the Railways to implement solutions to problems faced by differently-abled persons and their caretakers, KSDCF staged a protest in front of the city railway station on Tuesday.
Venkatesh says the coach for the disabled should be placed in the middle of train. A disable-sensitive attendant should be appointed to help differently-abled passengers and prevent other passengers, including Railway Protection Force personnel, from occupying the seats.A delegation led by KSDCF secretary G N Yashaswi submitted a memorandum to Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) R S Saxena. Rajan complained that doctors issuing disability certificates in government-run K C General Hospital, Victoria Hospital and Bowring Hospital do not issue railway concession forms or make efforts to create awareness about the railway pass.
Yashaswi says that in order to travel in a train, a differently-abled person needs to visit the railway station at least twice. As differently-abled persons cannot book tickets online, they are forced to stand in long queues, as in Yeshwantpur railway station. While booking ticket, railway staff insist on disability certificates or UDID. “Proof of disability should be demanded by TTE during the course of journey,” adds Yashaswi.
Demands of the differently-abled
Concessions should be extended to Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains
Concessions for bookings under Tatkal
Railways should adopt uniform design for ramps
Markings to help visually challenged persons to stairs, ticketing counters
All coaches should have Braille-embossed signages
Need to appoint sign language interpreters at railway stations
Grant licences to disabled persons to sell items inside trains or on platforms