Persons with disability urge Kaya Kalp Council to make Indian Railways disabled friendly

NCPEDP writes to noted industrialist and Tata Group chairman emeritus Ratan Tata who chairs the first meeting of the ‘Kaya Kalp’ council at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi on May 12

New Delhi, May 11, 2015: The National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled People (NCPEDP) has urged the Kaya Kalp council to make the Indian Railways disabled friendly under the new leadership of Mr. Ratan Tata. NCPEDP wrote to Mr.Ratan Tata, and is happy to receive his reply acknowledging the need for making the Indian Railways accessible for the disabled and his commitment to achieve that.

“The Indian Railways is one the largest networks of railways in the world carrying over 23 million passengers a day. Yet despite its best intentions, the infrastructure and facilities of the Indian Railways remain completely inaccessible to people with disabilities- conservative estimates putting this number between 70-100 million. On behalf of my organization and all disabled people in India we request you to kindly include recommendations to make the Indian Railways disabled friendly,” wrote Mr.JavedAbidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP and Chairperson, Disabled People’s International.

“I have perused through your request to make the Indian Railways disabled friendly and also to ensure comfort of travel for the elderly, sick and incapacitated. I will certainly draw the attention of the Kaya Kalp council to meet their needs,” responded MrRatan Tata in his letter to NCPEDP.

Kaya Kalp, the new innovative council of Railways, has been set up by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to recommend innovative methods and processes for the improvement, betterment and transformation of the state-run rail network. Mr.Ratan Tata will chair the first meeting of the ‘Kaya Kalp’ council at Rail Bhawan, New Delhion May 12.

Mr. Tata was appointed as the council’s head on March 19.The meeting will be attended by Mr.Prabhu and all Railway board members. Railway union leaders Shiv Gopal Mishra and M Raghuvaiah, who are also part of the council, will also be participating in the meeting.

The National Centre for Promotion Of Employment for Disabled People works closely with the Disabled People’s International, National Disability Network and other such organisations to help share best practices regarding accessible infrastructure and universal design from across the globe.

“MrRatan Tata’s support to the cause of disability is well known. We hope that under his leadership the Kaya Kalp council takes necessary steps to ensure comfort and accessibility to persons with disabilities,” adds Mr. Abidi.
CCI Newswire