Rlwy accept NGO advice on coaches for disabled

Lucknow, Nov 13: The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) of the Indian Railways have accepted the recommendations of a Delhi-based NGO for change dimensions of railway coaches for the convenience of disabled passengers.

In a letter sent to Samarthya, RDSO director (standards/ carriage) Adarsh Khare said, in the new coaches, the berth space has been changed to 900 mm in a bid to optimise the space requirements for compartment for physically challanged passengers.

The RDSO, a city based organisation, said the new dimensions would minimise the loss of passenger space.

The future build of coaches would now have toilet space of 1750 mm by 1550 mm with the toilet seat against a 1550 mm wall for the ease of the user.

The RDSO decided to follow the new dimensions after a meeting with NGO representatives in the National Capital in April, 2006.

However, the decision to incorporate the new dimensions was reached recently.

In the third meeting of the sub-group on 'Barrier free environment and social awareness' held last month, the NGO had recommended that a minimum of one toilet compartment should have enough floor space for wheel chair users to enter and exit.

Demanding a clear floor space of 2000 mm by 1750 mm, it said a door with clear opening of at least 900 mm was required. It said a sliding or a folding door was preferred. ''An unobstructed space of 900 mm wide should be provided to one side of the Western Commod for transfer, together with a clear space of 1800 mm deep inm front of the WC,'' a presentation prepared by the NGO read.

Welcoming the RDSO move, Secretary, Disabled Welfare of the Uttar Pradesh government Rohit Nandan said such a move would go a long way to provide the disabled with a barrier free environment.

UNI