As many physically challenged commuters are at risk while traveling, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from North East Mumbai, Manoj Kotak, in the Lok Sabha on Monday, December 13, demanded to make Mumbai’s lifeline local trains and stations disabled-friendly. He also noted that many disabled people have lost their lives in the recent past.
Due to the lack of facilities and overcrowded Mumbai’s local trains, it is impossible for the disabled commuters to travel, especially during rush hours, by the local trains.
"Despite the efforts of the Railways to make the differently-abled people friendly, neither the local train nor the station could become disabled friendly. That’s why I request the Railway Minister that special arrangements should be made for the boarding and alighting of Divyang in Mumbai local train. Special care should be taken especially during peak hours so that Divyangjan can travel easily."
The rail administration should ensure that such mishaps do not occur in future and special attention is paid to provide better services to the disabled commuters, BJP MP added.
Kotak suggested, "The arrangement should be such that if the disabled commuter wants an assistance then the rail administration should make the arrangement in such a way that the concerned person gets immediate relief. "
He also brought to notice such untoward incidents that took place even during pandemic where local trains are allowed only for several categories.
Last year a disabled girl traveling by the over-crowded local train between Dombivali and Ghatkopar fell down and died. This year in February, a disabled man lost his balance and fell down at Panvel railway station and eventually lost his life, he pointed.
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