597 Stations Made Disabled-Friendly With Lifts And Escalators Under 'Accessible India Campaign': Railways

The facilities were installed as part of the government's "Sugamya Bharat Mission" or "Accessible India Campaign".

The Ministry of Railways on Wednesday said a total 597 railway stations are now equipped with either escalators or lifts so that they are accessible for the elderly and persons with disabilities, news agency PTI reported. According to the ministry, these facilities were installed as part of the government's "Sugamya Bharat Mission" or "Accessible India Campaign".

The national transporter said, "The Indian Railways is committed to make its railways stations and trains accessible for 'divyangjans' as part of the 'Sugamya Bharat Mission' or 'Accessible India Campaign'. The ministry also added "Improvement/augmentation of amenities, including those for 'divyangjans' is a continuous process at railway stations. In order to facilitate easy movement of the elderly, the sick and 'divyangjans', and for smooth access to platforms of major railway stations and for ease of movement, lifts/escalators are being provided as part of the 'Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan'."

According to data provided by the Railways, 1,287 escalators at 372 stations and 1,292 lifts at 497 stations were provided till December last year. There were 143 escalators and 97 lifts available at across stations till December 2014. Later from 2014 to 2023, 1,144 escalators and 1,195 elevators were installed. In 2023, there were 128 escalators and 227 lifts available.

Activists, however, insisted that elevators be installed first because they are a more practical means of movement for those with locomotor disabilities than escalators.

On the priority of escalators over elevators by the Railways, Dr Satendra Singh, Director Professor at the University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) and Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, said, "The Indian Railways has failed to comprehend that escalators are not suitable means of egress for passengers with locomotor disabilities and senior citizens. Despite our representations, escalators are mistakenly prioritised over elevators".

"Unlike metro railways, the persisting gaps and elevations at railway stations make them unfriendly to disabled individuals, despite having lifts at the outskirts," a differently-abled activist, working with the government told the news agency.