RailEnquiry

The Divisional Railway Administration initiated on Thursday steps to provide better facilities for differently abled persons at the Coimbatore Railway Junction on Thursday, said a release from Public Relations Officer, Salem Division, Southern Railway.This followed a report in The Hindu on Wednesday on the problems faced at the station by elderly and ailing passengers and also passengers with disabilities.The authorities said two stretchers and eight wheel chairs would be available near the Passenger Information Centre at the entrance from Thursday.The Health Inspector would monitor the availability and the condition of these facilities every day.Measures to provide facilities like lifts, ramps and escalators are underway. The release said that the Divisional Railway Administration had always been considerate towards the needs of differently abled persons and passengers in general.M. Krishnan, president of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that apart from ramps, lifts and escalators, an ambulance should be made available 24 hours at the station. Emergency phone numbers for assistance should be introduced and emergency alarms should be placed at easily accessible locations.According to ICCI, the facilities available should be displayed at prominent places at the station.