The High Court of Uttarakhand has directed that proper facilities be provided at railway station platforms for better accessibility and convenience of the differently-abled. Further, a special coach for the differently-abled should be added in the middle of the train within a period of six months. While hearing on a public interest litigation filed by advocate Pankaj Miglani, the division bench of acting chief justice Rajiv Sharma and justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari said that in railway stations, special parking lots for the differently abled, ramps, lift to board train and seating arrangement on platforms among other facilities should be provided. The division bench also talked of considering changing the timing of and operating the Naini-Doon Janshatabdi Express six days a week including on Sunday. The petitioner had sought that this train which currently plies on five days a week, be operated six days a week including on Thursday and Sunday. During the hearing, officials of the Izzatnagar and Moradabad railway divisions informed that Rs 35 lakh had been collected in penalty for littering trains and platforms, spitting and violation of Railway Act in the region. Appreciating this, the division bench said that such measures should be continued. Further, beggars should not be allowed on the railway platform, the high court directed. The petition will be taken up for hearing next on November 26.
