Palakkad Division introduces lightweight mobile ramps and specially designed wheelchairs at major stations
As part of the project, 24 lightweight mobile ramps and 24 specially designed wheelchairs were formally handed over for deployment across 20 major stations in the Palakkad Division, including Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction, said a release.
The initiative, supported by the Swarga Foundation in collaboration with the International Gemological Institute, India, was inaugurated by Divisional Railway Manager Arun Kumar Chaturvedi. The Division said Indian Railways has consistently endeavoured to improve infrastructure and services for differently-abled passengers, with Palakkad Division being at the forefront of these efforts.
Facilities such as lifts, designated ramps, accessible toilets, and wheelchair services were already available across many stations. The launch of Project Sugamya further strengthens these initiatives by introducing mobile ramps and customised wheelchairs to make rail travel even more barrier-free and dignified, the release said.
The mobile ramps would facilitate seamless boarding and alighting from coaches, while the customised wheelchairs would support safe and independent movement within the station premises and inside trains, it said.
Mr. Chaturvedi said 'The addition of mobile ramps and customised wheelchairs will provide greater convenience, safety, and independence to our differently-abled passengers. We appreciate the contributions of Swarga Foundation and IGI India towards making this vision a reality.'
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