Hello Readers.
Today I am sharing the experience which I had 6 months back and which was again repeated yesterday regarding Indian Railways Disable coach position..
Firstly I will like to say "Thanks" to Indian Railways for thinking about Disabled people and developing a customized coach understanding the requirements of disabled people. and attaching one disable coach in almost all running trains. This has been great for disabled people because most general compartments these days hardly have place to sit and it was certainly a big problem for disabled people in traveling in general coaches.
But all that glitter's isn't Gold. Indian railways certainly did a great job but missed a big deal regarding the position of disabled coach. Currently it has been positioned just behind the Engine or the last coach. This inherently means that disabled coach comes too far from main railway entrance.
Many trains are quite good in lengths and there are many stations which have small platforms. In such trains like 19116 Bhuj Bandra Sayaji Nagri Express these coaches comes to far from railway station entrances. And in stations with small platforms like Kosamba (R.S), Surat these coaches even don't come on platforms. They are positioned too far.
Even for a normal passenger it's difficult to enter the train without a platform. Now imagine the pain a disabled fellow has to take when entering in disabled coach from such station. Firstly he has to travel almost some 200 meters to reach the place where he can expect the train. Even if Wheel Chairs are provided its still tough to reach there because of stone laded railway tracks. Somehow if he gets there imagine the pain he has to take to enter the coach. At times disabled people are unable to reach to the coaches and they have to travel in general coaches because of improper position of coaches. Also Railways need to ensure that most people are aware of the availability of Wheel chair services for disabled person.
As per last weeks incident a lady somewhere in 50's was pulling a lady almost in late 70's. It appeared like she had disability in legs, she was literally being ragged on platform by the other lady in-order to take her to the coach. She could not take her to disable coach being so far positioned. I was coming out of the general coach and found the old lady in miserable condition. I asked why you pulling her like this... the lady screamed "she has problem in legs, and I wish to take her along with me". I moved my hands for the help to get her inside the train.. I asked why you did not took the wheel chairs from station...! she was shocked hearing that she could have taken the wheel chairs; and gave blank look, she added son i was not aware about it...! Somehow me along with a friend took helped both the ladies to enter the overcrowded general train coach. This incident took place at Kosamba Railway Station (PIN 394120) in Train Bandra - Bhuj Sayaji Nagri Express.
Railways take care of business class people by placing AC coaches at center, but I think they can travel a few steps more in order to accommode disabled coach in center. Railways must do this to the soonest possible. Everyday many disabled people face such instances.
And we must also raise voices so that railways takes the necessary action.
I did my action by giving feedback/suggestions to railways.
It's your time to take the action. Go to
and write leave your valuable opinion regarding position of disable coach.
Regards,
Navneet Singh Chauhan