Mumbai, India – The Bombay High Court (HC) asked the railway authorities to “think out of the box” and come up with ways to make suburban train coaches and stations more accessible for persons with disabilities, reports the PTI.
The Railways in an affidavit submitted before the HC said it would not be possible to increase the halt time of trains and to redesign coaches reserved for persons with disabilities.
The court had suggested increasing the halt time of trains at each station for the convenience of persons with disabilities.
However, the Railways, in the affidavit, said, “Installation of collapsible ramp at the doors would require complete redesigning of these coaches by providing a suitable hydraulic system. At present, there is no design available.”
The bench then said the Railways has to come up with a solution. “We read newspaper reports about deaths due to overcrowding in local trains. You have to come up with a solution. Think out of the box. Technology has improved so much in this world,” Chief Justice Nandrajog said.
The court has posted the petition for further hearing in September.
