K'taka HC issues notices to Centre, SWR

Bangalore, Jan 8 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today directed issuance of notices to the Union Government and the South Western Railways on a writ petition, seeking a direction to the authorities to provide lift and escalator facilities to railway passengers, especially senior citizens and physically disabled passengers.

Admitting the petition filed by one B Krishna Bhat of Bangalore, Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Mr Justice B S Patil issued the notices.

It was contended that the Bangalore City Railway Station did not provide either lift or escalator facilities and senior citizens and physically handicapped passengers found it difficult to move to platforms other than one, five and six. The provisions of the Physically Disabled (Equal Opportunities and Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act stated that the statutory authorities should adopt special measures for easy access to transport vehicles and provide ramps in public vehicles for the welfare of physically handicapped persons.

UNI