DMRC : Facilities for differently abled passengers

Train door closing audio/visual indication. Next station and arrival with correct side platform announcements 

In addition, station staff constantly monitors passenger movement and provides personal help to any differently-abled person who needs assistance.

DMRC received National Award for Outstanding Work in Creation of Barrier Free Environment for the Persons with Disabilities in the Year 2008.

DMRC receives around 80-85 requests/month through helpline(Helpline No.-155370) for assistance of persons with disabilities.

DMRC is committed to provide hassle free services to Persons with disabilities and we are associating with ‘Samarthyam’ an NGO, to improve further the accessibility of our stations & trains to Persons with disabilities.

Read More...

Railways streamlines process for Concession Certificates to Physically Challenged

New Delhi: In order to streamline the procedure for issuing of concessional certificate to physically challenged persons, Railways has made changes to the rules in case of change of residence for the convenience of the passengers.

Railways has already facilitated convenient booking of concessional tickets including online ticketing for the physically challenged persons.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, in those cases where the applicant has shifted to a new place and his concession certificate has been issued by the government hospital of his previous residence, he or she will be allowed to apply to Divisional Railway Manager’s (DRM) office of current residence.

The DRM office will then get the concession certificate verified by the concerned zone in which the government hospital falls which has issued the concession certificate.

Such zone will then send the verification report to the referring division which had sent the request.

Based on the verification report, DRM office will issue the ID card to the physically challenged person or to his or her representative.

The notification further said: “However, original certificates (including address proof indicating current residence) must be shown at the time of collection of card. The time limit for disposal of the application/issue of ID card in such cases is two months from the date of receipt of application.”

The photo ID card issued to the eligible physically handicapped person is valid for five years from the date of issue or till the last date upto which the concession certificate is valid whichever is earlier after which it has to be renewed/re-issued for which the same procedure as for issue of fresh photo ID card is to be followed.

The concession certificate is valid for ten years in the age group of 26 to 35 years, in case of permanent disability.

The concession certificate is valid for whole life of the concerned person above the age of 35 years.

Source:RailNews

Concession based Ticketing for the Physically Challanged  Person Using Photo Identity Card

Source:IRCTC 

 Reservation of jobs for Physically Handicapped persons in Group ‘C’ & ‘D’

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

Attention is invited to this Ministry’s letter number E(NG)II/2006/LG-5/4 dated7.03.2008, circulating therewith the department-wise lists of posts identified suitable for Physically Handicapped persons in Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ categories on the Railways. This list of posts was based on the list circulated by M/o Social Justice & Empowerment (MOSJ&E), vide their notification No. 16-25/99.NI.I dated 31.5.2001.

Superseding their list ibid, MOSJ&E have come out with another list in detail, videtheir notifications No. 16-70/2004-DDIII dated 18.1.2007, 15.3.2007 and 22.3.2007, to give effect to 3% reservation to the persons with disabilities.Accordingly, based on the above, department-wise posts suitable for persons with disabilities, is enclosed for information and strict compliance. This list is not exhaustive and Railway administrations are free to identify more posts (not included in the enclosed list) locally, so that more persons with disabilities can be provided employment opportunities on the Railways. The list is provisional, since this Ministry has approached MOSJ&E for requisite exemption of certain categories/posts, from the purview of identified categories. The final list shall, therefore, be issued after finalization/disposal of the matter by MOSJ&E. While undertaking recruitments, the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, may be scrupulously followed, i.e. posts should be reserved for disabled persons on the basis of computation done taking into account the total number of vacancies arising both in identified and unidentified posts. It would not suffice by merely mentioning that post (s) is/ are suitable for disabled persons. Clear break-up of vacancies among the various categories of disabilities, would also need to be indicated in the indents/notifications issued.

Please acknowledge receipt.

 (K.Harikrishnan)

 Director Estt. (N)II

 Railway Board 

Read More:http://www.rrbbnc.gov.in/Reservation%20for%20PWD.PDF.pdf

I-card for Disabled Persons for Train Ticket Concession (Procedure Documents attached) 

The photo I-card can be used to book concessional tickets through both ticket counters as well as through the Internet.

The card with a unique ID number will have to be carried during journey and produced for onboard verification, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

Till now, a physically challenged person used to fill the concession form and produce all relevant documents at the ticket reservation counter to avail the concession in train tickets.

There were complaints from differently-abled persons as well as from social activists who were demanding a hassle-free system.

As per the new system, phyisically-challenged persons will have to approach the nearest Divisional Railway Manager office along with all the relevant documents in original claiming concession and passport size photograph for issuing photo identity card.

The differently-abled is also required to provide a mobile number for communication while applying for the card, the official said.

After due verification by the concerned zonal railways, a photo identity card will be printed containing a unique ID. An automated SMS will be sent to the passenger on given mobile number to collect the card showing the original concession certificate.

“After getting the card, the person is not required to fill any concessional form to avail the facility at the counter. Even tickets can be booked on the Internet using the ID number written on the card,” he said.

The validity of the card will be for five years or the last date up to which concession certificate is valid.

DOWNLOAD Procedure Document(s) HERE below:

Railway Board Guidelines and Specimen Id Card

Procedure Document issued by S W Railway

Railways also extend the e-ticketing facility to the disabled

Indian Railways has extended the e-ticketing facility to the physically challenged persons. Such persons, who belong to the respective Railway Divisional jurisdiction and desirous of availing e-ticketing facility, have to submit their original medical certificate along with two copies of recent passport size photographs, photo identity proof and proof of date of birth at the Commercial Branch of respective Divisional Railway Manager’s Office.

After due verification of the certificates/documents, they will be issued photo identity card by the Commercial Branch of the respective Railway Division which facilitates e-ticketing for booking of rail tickets. An exclusive facilitation counter at all the DRM’s offices across all the Railway Zones has been opened up by Indian Railways and it functions on working days from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Indian Railways for the disabled

It was going to be a train trip for me soon after a long time. I was traveling to Puttaparthi by Karnataka Express for darashan of Sri Satya Sai Baba along with my father who is a staunch devotee.  For a number of people train travels were something to look forward to and enjoyable. In fact they were enjoyable for me to till I became severely disabled having to use a wheelchair. Since I became disabled I tried to avoid train travels as much as possible but considering that it was the most affordable means of travel I was forced to use it on occasions.

My father made the bookings well in advance. The railways gave a considerably large concession on the ticket for the disabled traveller and one escort traveling with them making the travel very cheap. We had heard about a ‘Handicapped Coach’ that the railways had introduced in every train. But it was an unreserved coach so a disabled passenger could not reserve it and as a matter of safety and convenience a disabled person would rarely travels unreserved, therefore this coach was useless for us as it still remains to be for most disabled travellers.

I was happy for not having access to this ‘Handicapped Coach’ that the Railways had so generously provided. Firstly the coach was a second-class coach and considering in the scorching heat in May we were going to travel air-conditioned. Secondly the design of the coach was not exceptionally accessible – boarding the train was still going to be difficult and using the toilet was still going to be impossible. The most important reason why I was happy not using this ‘special’ facility was because I did not want to be singled out along with my family and placed separately. I found the entire concept discriminatory. In my mind it was like the British Raj where Indians were not allowed in the same compartment as the British, here the disabled travellers being same as the Indians.

One of the main preparations for me before a train travel apart from packing was organise my bladder and bowel as the toilets in the train are inaccessible to a disabled person like me. Just because the Railways have designed their coaches to be so inaccessible to the disabled most people with disabilities are faced with this challenge. Considering it was a two-day journey, I needed to stop my intake of food and liquids nearly two days before commencing the journey. It is not easy to do so because as dehydration sets in one begins to feel weak. Needless to say I needed to keep the intake to bare minimum throughout the journey.

This I must point out is just the beginning of the difficulties to travel be train. The Railways is proud of making its large stations accessible to disabled people, but here again there is much to be done. During a visit to the New and Old Delhi railway stations recently, I was amazed at the bizarre on ground implementation of these access features. The low drinking water sink was blocked and overflowing with water. The accessible restroom was located in the ladies waiting room making me wonder where a disabled man was supposed to go.  As for the condition of the special waiting room the lesser said the better.

In this entire thread of thought while making stations more disabled friendly there is no concern for the safety of disabled passengers. The basic issue of inter-platform transfer seems to have been entirely ignored. For instance, whenever I’ve travelled by train, I have always been taken as luggage over the railway tracks by a coolie, putting me as a passenger at a higher risk of accidents than anybody else. What disheartens me most is when I often read in news papers that the Railways in its understanding is sanctioning money to install escalators in various stations for the benefit of disabled people while it’s a internationally recognised norm that people using wheelchairs are not allowed to use escalators. A rule followed by the Delhi Metro and the Airports in India but happily ignored by the Railways. This again is an indication towards poor safety concern for the disabled.

Handicapped crossing TracksThe anxiety of travel does not subside even after reaching the platform well in time to board the train. The coolies that was hired to bring me over the tracks till the platform was engaged on the condition that he was going to board me in the train and leave me on my berth. Of course the cost of this is high therefore as a disabled traveller while the railways was generous in its concessions but because of inaccessibility the added cost to hire two coolies to board and de-board me compensates for the concession availed.

Once the train arrived and the initial frenzy subsided two coolies lift me like a sack of potatoes (one grabbing me from under my shoulders and the other from under my knees) and carry me in. There is no point in my feeling awkward or angry at the way I am physically handled as there are no other options in any case.  Train is about 50 cm higher from the platform and carrying me up is difficult, but the real challenge is taking me in through the extra narrow and extra heavy door of the air-conditioned compartment. There is a jam caused my getting in blocking the way for the rest.  In between all the confusion that is created the coolies struggle to squeeze in in through the door. There are always a few scratches or red finger marks of the coolies hand that remain as a memory of this experience. I take a deep breath of relief as I settle on my berth finally. One third of the journey is completed for me at that moment.

As the train rolls forward I stay happily perched on my berth enjoying the scenery outside as feeling bad about the way I am treated as a disabled person is of no use as in so many years of being disabled I have reconciled to this differential treatment, it is not something specific only to the railways in any case. My berth was my spot for the next two days as I am going to be able to get down for some fresh air at any of the stations neither was I going to be able to access the sink or the toilet. With a restricted intake there was nothing more that I could do to avert something as natural as natures call. All I hoped for now was for an eventless journey.

As the train jolted to a halt at the Puttaparti Station where the stop was just for a couple of minutes, my father was already at the compartment door trying to hail to coolies to help us out. He had already spoken to the ticket conductor explaining him our problem in de-boarding the train and requesting him to ensure that the train didn’t move ahead without letting us off. The TC assured him and told him not to worry and get of comfortably. In spite of hurrying frantically to expedite our de-boarding, the train jolted ahead with me in the hands of two coolies with one of them on the platform and the other still in the train. I thought this was the end of me but my father ran forward and grab me and put me on the platform. From the moving train the coolies unloaded my wheelchair and other luggage, it was clear that the TC had not bothered to ensure my safety as he had promised to.

This was a journey that is etched in my mind forever. Today as I have become older and broader physically I know that there is no way I can make a train journey ever again. The only mode of travel available to me is to travel by air. Since it is not something that is very affordable to me I am very restricted in my travel not able to take as may holidays I would like to.  I am discriminated and excluded because of only one reason and that reason is ‘inaccessibility’. As a disabled person only the more expensive services are accessible to me such as air travel instead of rail travel, using taxis instead of public transport, five star hotels instead of cheaper guest houses. It is as though I am being charged a tax for being disabled!

The concession provided by the railways is useless unless they provide accessibility and providing accessibility is not rocket science, it only required that the railways consider inclusion, safety and comfort of disabled travellers as one of their main objectives and then work towards it in a phased and an inclusive manner. It is not charity that a disabled person needs in the form of concessions rather we want inclusion and the right to use the service with the same dignity and convenience as anybody else.

Physically Handicapped Quota -Berth Allocation

Rationalization of Allotment of Berths under Physically Handicapped Quota with a View To Ensure Optimum Utilization 

As per extant instructions, handicapped quota of 2 berths in sleeper class (one lower and one middle) is earmarked for physically handicapped persons travelling on concession. 

There are two types of handicapped persons who can book berth under this quota; one for whom it is compulsory to travel along with escort and the second for whom it is optional. Recently instances were brought to the notice of this office where the handicapped persons for whom it is optional to take an escort were not allowed to book single berth against this quota by some Railways since the second berth will go vacant as middle berth cannot be allotted to physically handicapped persons. This issue has now been examined by the Ministry of Railways and further rationalization has been done to ensure optimum allotment and utilization of handicapped quota. The revised decisions taken are given as under : - 

(i)There will be two types of handicapped quota of two berths each (one lower and one middle) in the same cabin; one for physically handicapped persons who can utilize concession only when accompanied by an escort and the second for those handicapped persons for whom it is optional to take an escort with them. 

(ii)As for the former category it is compulsory to be accompanied by an escort, these berths can be booked by such category of handicapped persons booking tickets on concession on first come first serve basis. 

(iii)For the later, where it is optional to be accompanied by an escort, if the first handicapped person intends to book berth along with escort, both the berths will be booked. However if the first handicapped person books without escort, the second berth will not be booked under handicapped quota and will be released to RAC/waitlisted passengers at the time of preparation of reservation charts. 

(iv)Further, at the time of preparation of reservation charts, the unutilized lower berths under this quota can be released to physically handicapped passenger (of either category who were kept in general waiting list due to exhaustion of their quota), single senior citizen travelling alone on priority and thereafter to waitlisted passengers as per priority. In case a single berth i.e. middle berth is left vacant in this quota of second category it will be released to RAC/waitlisted passengers. 

(v)It has also been decided that whenever a physically handicapped person books ticket on concession and if no berth is available in handicapped quota, the system will automatically try to allot the lower berth to him/her and middle berth to escort subject to availability of same at the time of booking. 

These new provisions will be effective by 22nd December, 2015. 

Source :PIBNEWS

AC Coaches with new improved Amenities - Indian Railways

NEW DELHI: To provide better amenities to passengers, Railways unveiled a new AC 3-tier coach here with state-of-the-art facilities including CCTV cameras, bio-toilets and improved safety features.

The interiors of the coach, with better security and comfort features, have been designed aesthetically, said Railway Board Member (Mechanic) Hemant Kumar.

While CCTV cameras have been installed at the entrance of the coach on both the sides to strengthen the security system, fire-retardant materials have been used to prevent fire as a safety measure.

Manufactured at the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the AC coach is equipped with wider stainless steel ladder with hand-holds for easy climbing to upper berths.

Besides, the coach has also been fitted with braille stickers for the convenience of visually-impaired passengers.

Asked about the cost of the enhanced features, Kumar said an additional Rs 7.2 lakhs were spent to upgrade the coach with better amenities.

For faster evacuation in case of emergency, the door of the coach has been made to swing both ways. The bi-directional swing door is a new feature which is likely to be a norm for all new coaches in future.

Passengers can now book wheelchairsonline as Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched the service for free at New Delhi station.

The wheelchair facility is for the benefit of old, sick and differently-abled people, who can pre-book wheelchairs while booking their tickets online, IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director AK Manocha said.

“We have started the service on a pilot basis at the New Delhi station which can be replicated at other stations also,” he added.

At present, there are nine wheelchairs available for booking as part of e-wheelchair service. Such a wheelchair can be hired for a maximum time of one hour. Those availing the facility need to deposit their I-cards such as voter ID card, Aadhaar card or PAN among others with a deposit fee of Rs 500, which will be returned after the wheelchair is given back.

The facility will also be dispensed from IRCTC’s Tourism Facilitation Centre located at platform no.16 of New Delhi station.

There is no age limit for booking of wheelchairs. Any passenger having confirmed reservation ticket can book the wheelchair on IRCTC website.

provision of escalators/elevator at ‘A-1’ category and escalators at ‘A’ category, ‘C’ category and stations of tourist importance under desirable amenities.

There are facilities exist for disabled/senior citizens at railway stations. Instructions already exist for provision of Wheel Chair at stations including B category stations. This facility is provided, duly escorted by coolies (on payment) as per present practice. Moreover, Zonal Railways have also been advised to provide free of cost ‘Battery Operated Vehicles for Disabled and Old Aged Passengers’ at major Railway Stations. 

Instructions already exist for provision of escalators/elevator at ‘A-1’ category and escalators at ‘A’ category, ‘C’ category and stations of tourist importance under desirable amenities. The provision of escalators/lifts on a particular location is based on above guidelines & techno commercial feasibility. So far, 244 no. of escalators at 96 Railway stations & 101 no. of lifts at 44 Railway stations have been provided over the Indian Railways. In addition, 400 escalators at 171 Railway stations & 400 no. of lifts at 168 Railway stations have been sanctioned across Indian Railways, which will be provided progressively as per availability of fund. 

Almost all Mail/Express trains (except special type of trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Janshatabdi, AC Special, Duronto) including Garib Rath trains have been provided with one disabled friendly coach. Besides, attachment of such coaches is an on-going process and efforts are on to provide such coaches in all Mail/Express trains as also in short distance passenger trains. 

Provision/augmentation of amenities at stations, including those for disabled passengers is a continuous process. Short term facilities like standard ramp for barrier free entry, earmarking at least two parking lots, non-slippery walk-way from parking lot to building, signages of appropriate visibility, at least one toilet on the ground floor & at least one drinking water tap suitable for use by disabled persons and ‘May I help You’ Booth, have been planned at all stations beginning with ‘A1’, ‘A’ and ‘B’ category stations. Long term facilities viz. Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer and engraving on edges of platform, are planned after provision of short term facilities. 

At New Delhi railway station, wheel chairs have been provided by a NGO. However, wheel chairs are not provided by Rotary Club of Delhi at railway stations in Delhi. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. 

Source:PIBNEWS

2015/07

16-07-2015

Mumbai

PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS MAY NOW GET ONLINE CONCESSION FROM HOME

Railway's one more user friendly step towards Digital India

  

Railways have always been pioneer to ensure best possible efforts to provide user friendly services and facilities to its valued customers in various fields. In continuation to this one more user friendly step has been initiated by Railways to provide benefit of 'Digital India' concept to physically challenged persons by arranging Photo ID cards to them for getting online concession facility o­n any rail travel as per their requirement and the best part of this initiative, is that now o­nwards any physically challenged person is not required to present personally o­n reservation counter to get Rail travel concession, but now he can book his ticket o­nline from home with concession facility with the help of photo ID card issued to him by Railways.

As announced in the Railway Budget 2015-16 by Hon'ble Minister of Railways, it has been decided to launch the scheme o­n entire Indian Railways wherein the physically challenged persons can book concessional reserved tickets across PRS counters, e-ticket/i-ticket through IRCTC website and also concessional unreserved tickets across the UTS counters throughout India o­n the authority of Photo Identity card to be issued by the Railways.

Physically Challenged Person entitled for Railway concession may approach nearest Divisional Railway Manager's Office along with all the relevant documents viz. Concession Certificate, Photo Identity proof, Date of Birth proof, Address proof and two passport size photographs either in person or by post for issuing Railway Photo Identity card by submitting one set of attested photocopies (self attested) of the said documents. It should be addressed to Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager of the concerned division. The envelope containing documents should be superscribed "Application for issue of Railway Identity Card for Physically Challenged Persons for ticketing." No fee will be charged by the Railways for issue of this photo ID card.

The Concession based ticketing through counters as well as internet (online booking) has been launched by the Railways for the physically challenged persons i.e. Orthopedically handicapped, Deaf & Dumb, Mentally Retarded and Blind patients. The physically challenged persons can avail of this facility on producing photo identity card with unique ID number issued by the Railway.

In case of permanent disability (Orthopedically/Paraplegic persons above the age of 35 years) the validity of the card will remain 5 years from the date of issue of the card. At the time of expiry of the validity of the card, a new card may be got issued by submitting a fresh application upto 3 months before the expiry of the validity period of the card.

RAILWAYS URGED TO MAKE SERVICES DISABLED-FRIENDLY

New Delhi: The National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled People (NCPEDP) has urged the Kaya Kalp council to make the Indian Railways disabled-friendly, a press statement of the centre said on Saturday.

In a letter written to Ratan Tata, who will chair the first meeting of the 'Kaya Kalp' council at Rail Bhavan in Delhi on May 12, NCPEDP requested him to work for making Indian Railways disabled-friendly.

NCPEDP director, also the chairperson of Disabled People's International, Javed Abidi said the Indian Railways is one of the largest railway networks in the world carrying over 23 million passengers a day.

"Yet despite its best intentions, the infrastructure and facilities of the Indian Railways remain completely inaccessible to people with disabilities -- conservative estimates putting this number between 70-100 million.

"On behalf of my organisation and all disabled people in India we request you to kindly include recommendations to make the Indian Railways disabled-friendly," Abidi wrote in the letter.

He said in response to the letter, Tata replied that he has perused through the request to make the Indian Railways disabled friendly and also to ensure comfort of travel for the elderly, sick and incapacitated.

He said Tata has assured him that he will certainly draw the attention of the Kaya Kalp council to their needs. Kaya Kalp, the new innovative council of railways, has been set up to recommend innovative methods and processes for the improvement, betterment and transformation of the state-run rail network.

Source :Sakshipost

Identity-card for Disabled Persons for Train Ticket Concession (Procedure Documents attached)

New Delhi: Railways will issue photo identity cards to physically-challenged persons to enable them to avail concessions in train tickets in a hassle-free manner.

The photo I-card can be used to book concessional tickets through both ticket counters as well as through the Internet.

The card with a unique ID number will have to be carried during journey and produced for onboard verification, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

Till now, a physically challenged person used to fill the concession form and produce all relevant documents at the ticket reservation counter to avail the concession in train tickets.

There were complaints from differently-abled persons as well as from social activists who were demanding a hassle-free system.

As per the new system, phyisically-challenged persons will have to approach the nearest Divisional Railway Manager office along with all the relevant documents in original claiming concession and passport size photograph for issuing photo identity card.

The differently-abled is also required to provide a mobile number for communication while applying for the card, the official said.

After due verification by the concerned zonal railways, a photo identity card will be printed containing a unique ID. An automated SMS will be sent to the passenger on given mobile number to collect the card showing the original concession certificate.

“After getting the card, the person is not required to fill any concessional form to avail the facility at the counter. Even tickets can be booked on the Internet using the ID number written on the card,” he said.

The validity of the card will be for five years or the last date up to which concession certificate is valid.

DOWNLOAD Procedure Document(s) HERE below:

Railway Board Guidelines and Specimen Id Card

Procedure Document issued by S W Railway

Railways to enable Concession in Ticket Fare for Differently-abled Persons both Across-the-Counter & Online Ticketing

New Delhi: The Indian Railways is bringing out photo identity cards for differently-abled persons to enable them to avail of concession in ticket fare for both across-the-counter and online booking of tickets.

A release from Southern Railway here said that the card was not transferable; the quantum of concession would be as per the eligibility criteria in different types of trains and class of travel based on the type of disability; the concession is admissible to a single escort if eligible on the type of disability while travelling with the card-holder and the card is valid for booking reserved tickets from counters as well as through www.irctc.co.in.

The card-holder and as the escort should carry their respective original photo identity cards during the journey. While booking tickets across the counter, the card-holder should produce the card in original and submit its photocopy.

Applications for photo ID card should be enclosed with self-attested copies of Concession Certificate as certified by the competent hospital/doctor; proof of photo identity; proof of date of birth; address proof, any one the 10 specified documents and two passport size photographs.

These applications may be submitted either by post to the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the divisions concerned or in person at railway divisional offices or submit applications in person at specified Railway Stations on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Applications will be accepted at railway stations for a period of two months, after which one will have to approach divisional offices for the identity cards.

Until the new card is issued, the differently-abled persons can use the existing certificate for booking tickets at the counter.

The concession is admissible to one escort while travelling with the card-holder