RailEnquiry

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A sensitization programme conducted by NGOs last month for the staff of Thiruvananthapuram central railway station to make travelling easier for blind passengers seems to have paid off. The railway authorities are planning to make travelling easier for the blind by introducing valet assistance and maketing engineering changes for easy access to platforms.

The authorities are also planning to provide a hotline number by which a blind passenger can request for a valet assistance making it possible for them to travel alone.

"We have spoken to an NGO, which is willing to provide volunteers for the job. They are interested in helping us. We just need to formalize things before rolling out the handicap-assistance offer," said V Rajeevan, additional divisional railway manager.

The project will be part of a Rs 10-crore project for remodelling the railway station. "We had bought escalators and invited tender twice, but no one came forward to do the job, so we are hoping to call for an expression of interest for renovating the whole station before the end of this financial year," said Rajeevan.

The engineering staff, who also attended the sensitization programme, are now taking additional care to ensure that the renovated station will be friendly to the blind. The railway staff are also now careful during shunting and ensure that the designated handicap bogie which is supposed to be placed next to the engine has proper ramp access. The sensitivity programme was jointly conducted by Braille without Borders National Association for the Blind, and Chakshumathi, an NGO working for empowering the blind.

Rajeevan said he has also invited the Palakkad railway division to conduct a similar sensitization programme for its staff.