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A step towards accessibility -Mysuru Railway Station with Tactile Map & Braille Signage

Mysuru railway station is nation’s first visually impaired-friendly

November 3, 2015 17:31

With a view to facilitating visually impaired train passengers, tactile maps of the railway station and train schedules in Braille were unveiled at the Mysuru Railway station on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after Mysuru MP Pratap Simha inaugurated the facility, Divisional Railway Manager Rajkumar Lal said Mysuru railway station has become the country’s first visually challenged friendly station in India.

Along with tactile maps of station describing the location and distance of entrance, platforms, counters, washrooms etc, schedule of trains, showing their arrival and departure time, the authorities have also put up 400 metal signages in Braille along the railings of the staircases leading various platforms.

The menu cards at the canteen and food plaza at the station will also be available in Braille now, a Railway official said.

Anuprayaas, an NGO assisted the railways in make Mysuru railway station blind-friendly.

Mysuru Railway station becomes country's first blind friendly station with the unveiling of the station's tactile map and train schedule in Braille. Source: The Hindu

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Indian Railways ties up with NGO to provide accessible facilities at Bangalore Station

Dear colleagues,

Finally, Indian Railways has taken up a very positive step to provide accessible facilities at Railways Station. Though run with an NGO with the help of a CSR initiative, this project will set a precedent for other divisions to follow.

Such public private partnerships have been very successful in the past  and have delivered the desired result.  Best wishes for this initiative! Here is the coverage from The Hindu:

A waiting room for seniors, persons with disabilities

STAFF REPORTER BANGALORE, February 22, 2012

The Indian Railways has set up an exclusive waiting room, complete with a restroom and wash area, for senior citizens and persons with disabilities at the Bangalore City railway station’s Platform No. 1.

According to a press release, this area would be maintained by a non-governmental organisation that runs battery-operated vehicles on the platforms for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

“The NGO would also ensure that senior citizens and persons with disabilities are picked up from the point of arrival and taken to this waiting area prior to boarding.

On the arrival of the train, the battery-operated vehicle would take them to their coach.

The facility is the first of its kind initiated by the Indian Railways,” the release said. The venture is supported by ELGI Equipments India Ltd., Coimbatore, as a part of its corporate social responsibility.

Thanking the company for its support, S. Mani, divisional railway manager, said similar facilities shall be provided at the second entry of the Bangalore City railway station as well as at the Yeshwanthpur station in the next financial year.