Only around 30 per cent rly stations have standard ramps, barrier free entry for differently abled

Railways has standard ramps and barrier free entry for the differently abled in around 30 per cent of its stations across the country and only 18.5 per cent have appropriate signages, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal informed Parliament on Wednesday.

In reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Goyal said that out of the around 8700 stations in its network, 2600 have the facility of ramps, while 1604 have earmarked two parking slots for the disabled and 1607 which have signages of appropriate visibility.

He also said that 1557 stations have non-slippery walk-way from parking lot to station building while 2757 stations have at least one toilet on the ground floor.

"It has been the endeavour of the railways to provide adequate amenities to passengers at Railway Stations, including those for differently abled passengers (Divyangjan) which is a continuous process. Provision of facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) are to be provided at all stations over Indian Railways based on the needs of travelling public and availability of funds," said Goyal adding that such facilities have been planned across stations.

He also said that 1939 stations have the facility of engraving on edges of platforms and 1288 have provision of inter-facility platform.