Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw has informed that In order to facilitate needy passenger to board/alight the train, following initiatives have been taken by Ministry of Railways:
- Indian Railway has incorporated Disabled Friendly Integral Coach Factory (ICF) design Second class cum Luggage cum Guard Van & Disabled Friendly Compartment (SLRD) coaches.
These coaches have a suitably designed compartment & toilet adapted to the needs of the divyangjans/wheelchair borne passengers. In these coaches, wider entrance door, wider berths, wider compartments, larger lavatory and lavatory doors, etc. have been provided. Inside the toilets additional grab rails on the side walls for support and wash basin and mirror at a lower height are also available. It is endeavoured to have at least one such coach in each Mail/Express train having ICF type coaches.
- Further, Production units have already started manufacturing Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) Second Luggage, Guard and Divyang Compartment (LSLRD) type coaches for Divyang Passengers. These coaches have, wider entrance door to enable easy access of wheel chair, wider sleeping berths, wider compartments to enable access of wheel chair along with locking arrangement for wheel chairs. One separate Larger Lavatory and Lavatory doors, etc. have also been provided.
- Further, all Production Units have been advised to provide at least two doors of 920 mm width one on each side of the coach in all newly manufactured coaches.