Title - Railway station to see new facilities for disabled

COIMBATORE: Two weeks ago, M Narayanan, a resident of Sreepathy Nagar in the city, was returning from a trip to Kumbakonam when the train he was travelling in chugged into Platform no 6. Narayanan, who is physically challenged, knew he was in trouble as the platforms 5 and 6 did not have handrails on the staircase leading to the subway. "It is quite dangerous out there. Even though I had my son and wife for support, they had to literally carry me all the way down. Though a wheelchair was available, the staircase is too steep for it to be used," he told TOI. As Narayanan is the vice-president of the Sreepathy Nagar Residents' Welfare Association, he met top railway officials and made a complaint. Now just days later, change is underway. Prompted by a visit by 50 physically challenged persons to the railway station, its manager D Chandrasekaran on Tuesday promised to open a separate counter for physically-challenged people. "Actually the separate counter is supposed to be open for a long time. But the person manning it was not present. Now on the insistence of the NGO, we are opening the separate counter for physically challenged people at the Coimbatore Railway Station," said Chandrasekaran."The lack of facilities so far at the station was troublesome for physically challenged persons. But after today with the cooperation extended by the station manager, the station will have many new facilities for them," said Raj Kumarr Velu, founder and president, Change India.

Among the new facilities are a bathroom and toilet for the exclusive use of the physically challenged. "The station manager took us around the station. We made various demands. He has agreed to give a special toilet and bathroom for the use of the disabled," said Velu.

Apart from this, a parking slot will also be created for the physically challenged. "This is also a step not taken so far by the railway authorities. We are in the process of creating flex boards and signage for the parking lot, toilet and exclusive counter," said Velu.

Both the lifts in the station were also earmarked for carrying cargo. But now one of the lifts will be given for the use of physically challenged people. "The lift is not in a working condition. I am planning to petition Salem divisional manager Sujatha over this issue," said Velu, who is also planning to apprise the officer of the happenings at the station.

The SLR-D coach was used for the disabled exclusively, but other people used to sit in it. Now people can approach the station manager if the security guard is not responsive towards their complaints. "The placement of the coach will be announced via the public address system," said Velu.