Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Accessibility
  • Indian Railways’ promise to launch disabled-friendly coaches on Modi’s birthday questioned

Indian Railways’ promise to launch disabled-friendly coaches on Modi’s birthday questioned

Accessibility September 21, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

On the occasion of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on 17 September, the Indian Railways’ had announced plans to launch exclusive coaches for people with disabilities in all the trains. Many disability rights activists are calling this move impractical. They also say this is not going to be implemented.

On 17 September, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 65, came this grand announcement by the Indian Railways’, that every train would have a coach exclusively for disabled people. There was much cheer from many in the disabled community over the move to make at least one coach disabled-friendly and accessible. The announcement also mentioned that luggage platforms would be built keeping in mind the needs and requirements of people with different types of disabilities.

However, the policy has not been welcomed by all. One of them is TMN Deepak, Founder, 3 December Movement in Tamil Nadu, who says he would rather wait to see it implemented before reacting to the words.

The successful implementation of disabled-friendly railway coaches depends on the political will of the government, how the allocations are made, and the amount of money allotted for designing such coaches. Officials must clearly know the process of designing. They must consult people with disabilities. Railway officials must also strengthen the existing systems because most of them are inaccessible. – TMN Deepak, Founder, 3 December Movement.

Deepak also says he sees this as a gimmick. “All this looks rosy on paper. How can something like disabled-friendly railway coaches in all trains be implemented when the country is going through a huge economic crisis?”

Even today, after the Accessible India Campaign, most trains and even railway stations still remain inaccessible, something that has been raised across many cities by activists but nothing substantial has changed. This means people with disabilities are largely excluded from an essential means of transport.

“We need accessibility in every coach and not just one coach that is disabled-friendly”, points out Smita Sadasivam, a member of the Disability Rights Alliance of India. “The entry must also be accessible. Currently, even disabled coaches of Indian railways do not have that”.

Kerala activist Jomy Joseph says if this is implemented, it could be revolutionary but suggests genuine accessibility would mean that all coaches are made accessible. “It is indeed a welcome move because people with disabilities must be able to travel without hassles. But is reports are to be believed, the government is going to remove the existing coaches for disabled people. Honestly I feel that, it is best to make all coaches disabled-friendly”.

Also Read: Disabled people push for need of accessible & disabled-friendly Indian Railways

Watch in Sign Language

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Education

#TeachersSpecial - Visually impaired college lecturer Sangeeta Agrawal aims to give equal opportunities to children in India

Get-hooked

Kids with intellectual disabilities abandoned by families find a home for life at Sri Arunodayam Charitable Trust

Get-hooked

#AutismPower - Varun Sawant juggles multiple talents with great style

Get-hooked

Understanding not responding to name as a sign of ASD

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.