DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 11 (MExN): Disability Rights Advocate Nagaland, Diethono Nakhro, on Sunday stressed on the urgent need to ensure that any infrastructure and service improvement work undertaken at the Dimapur Railway Station must include making railway travel easier for disabled passengers of the state as well as those coming from other states.
In a letter addressed to the Divisional Railway Manager, Lumding, NF Railway on behalf of persons with disability in Nagaland, Nakhro who is also Member, National Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities highlighted some of the most basic but urgent measures and facilities needed at Dimapur Railway Station.
Nakhro said ramps with proper gradient and holding bars on both sides should be added at the entrance and all areas necessary to allow wheelchairs to enter and move around in the station easily.
Based on variables such as number of trains per day, average daily passenger traffic at the station (5% of which can be assumed to be people with disabilities including Senior Citizens), etc, Nakhro said suitable solutions and devices should be provided for passengers to safely get into and off the train with options such as low cost, foldable ramps. Wheelchairs must be provided at the station, which passengers who cannot walk long distances or stand for long periods can avail of. A booth/counter must be set up where this service can be availed. Clear signboards and information must be put up at the booth/counter and also at strategic points, such as at the entrance area, to inform passengers of the service.
A designated area must be identified for boarding and de-boarding of passengers with disability. Porters with wheelchairs must be made available in this area or a wheelchair service booth set up nearby. This reserved area must be close to the disability-reserved coach and must have proper markings, display and colours for safety.
Electronic audio-visual signboards and announcements displays must be put up at the platforms and other areas of the station for passengers who are deaf or blind while one ticket-booking window should have lower height for wheelchair passengers and people of short stature, Nakhro also pointed out.
Further, the disability rights advocate also highlighted on the need for reserving some spaces close to the entrance as disability parking for vehicles bringing or picking up passengers with disability. And most importantly, there must be provision of reserved accessible toilets for both men and women with disability, she added.
