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New Delhi railway station has got a facelift and is modernized for the
Commonwealth Games 2010. The fully air conditioned revamped station has
now a world class facility spread over an area of 250 acres. The
station is built on the lines of the New York Central station and
matches with Connaught Place looks with an investment to the tune of
Rs. 25 crore.
Northern
Railways, Ministry of Railways has set an excellent example of
user-service provider partnership. Samarthyam, National Centre for
Accessible Environments access audited the New Delhi Railway station in
2007 and presented report recommendations to DRM, Delhi Division and Chief Engineer (Construction), Northern Railways. Accessible design standards and users
perspective was incorporated in the blue prints of New Delhi railway station.
In 2008, Samarthyam was invited by Deputy
Engineer (Construction), Northern Railways to vat the blue prints and
revise the drawings in light of user-friendly facilities for persons
with diverse disabilities and reduced mobility. Samarthyam's Access
Resource Group provided technical know how of engineering configuration
of tactile tiles for persons with vision impairment; entrance ramp and
handrails; reserved lowered ticket counter and drinking water unit;
layout and internal design of accessible washrooms and bathing area
along with Braille and pictogram signages for all facilities. The three
storey complex also has provision of lifts to connect all the floors,
there by making it easier and comfortable to be used by persons with
disabilities and senior citizens.
Samarthyam has also vetted the plans of Anand Vihar Railway station in East Delhi, wherein construction is in full swing. Universal design standards have been provided in the station from the planning stage itself by Engineers of Northern Railways in consultation with Samarthyam. Samarthyam has also designed the washroom and bathroom accessories and signages for both of these stations including Nizamuddin station.
Indian
Railways for the first time has also introduced passenger ferry vehicle
which is accessible for persons with reduced mobility. Samarthyam is
working with Indian Railways to design a lift for lifting wheelchair
passengers from platform to coach.
Anjlee Agarwal Executive Director
Samarthyam, National Centre for Accessible Environments
A project of Samarthyam Trust (Regd. No. 35922)
•B-181, Mansarovar Garden, New Delhi-110015 •Telefax: +91-11-41019389
•Email: samarthyaindia@yahoo.com •Web site: www.samarthyam.org
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