Consider changing signs on bogies for ladies, differently-abled: HC to Rlys

The Bombay High Court on Friday emphasised the need of changing or at least enhancing the existing signage notifying the compartments dedicated for women and the differently-abled. The HC has asked the Railways to consider enhancing the existing signage since the public often travels in these bogies, thereby, depriving differently-abled citizens the right to travel comfortably.

A division bench of Justices Naresh Patil and Girish Kulkarni, also directed the Railway authorities to consider allotting a dedicated bogie to the differently-abled citizens, since the existing compartment is not spacious. “We are informed that the existing compartment is not spacious and has less number of seats. We think the railways must consider allotting a dedicated compartment for these citizens,” the bench said.

The bench further noted that since all compartments of local trains in Mumbai look similar, the public often enters reserved compartments. “All the compartments look similar and thus the general public, which is in a hurry to board the train, enter these reserved compartments. There must be some differentiation so that only the differently-abled persons could travel in their compartments. The authorities can consider changing the colour of the compartment notifying the reserved bogie or can even change or enlarge the existing signage, so that one can easily differentiate,” the bench added.

The judges further said that similar issues are faced by women commuters as often men enter their compartments as the signage is not adequate enough to differentiate the two compartments.

“We believe that similar steps can be undertaken in respect of compartments reserved for women commuters. Let us know your stand,” the bench said.

The judges were hearing a petition filed by Nitin Gaikwad, a differentlyabled citizen, highlighting the failure of the Railways to effectively make available separate compartments reserved for persons with disabilities on Mumbai's suburban trains.

The bench has posted the matter for August 3, to hear the stand of the railways.