Kolhapur: In a distressing incident at Chhatrapati Shahu Terminus, differently-abled passengers faced significant difficulties while booking train tickets. Despite their special needs, they were forced to stand in long queues without proper seating arrangements or dedicated access routes. This not only caused them physical discomfort but also raised concerns about the insensitivity of railway staff towards them.
The issue came to light when around 42 differently-abled individuals arrived at the reservation office to book tickets for a pilgrimage to Ayodhya in April, organized by a charitable trust. Ideally, only two or three representatives could have handled the reservations using the organization’s letterhead. However, due to procedural inefficiencies, all 42 individuals were compelled to stand in line for hours.
With only two benches available in the office, most passengers had no choice but to remain standing. Furthermore, railway officials reportedly demanded color photocopies of disability certificates, rejecting black-and-white copies. Additionally, these passengers were often made to wait longer as general travelers were given priority.
Swati Gokhale, head of Avadhut Special School, confronted railway staff over their lack of empathy. Satish Jangde from the charitable trust highlighted that despite being a registered organization, they frequently faced unnecessary questioning from railway employees, adding to the mental stress of disabled passengers.
This incident raises an important question: When will railway authorities take genuine steps to ensure a dignified and hassle-free travel experience for differently-abled individuals?
