Railways To Upgrade Platforms Nationwide for Senior Citizens, Women and Divyangjan
Indian Railways extends platforms and raises heights for easier boarding by elderly, disabled and women.
In a major move to improve passenger convenience, Indian Railways has announced plans to extend the length of platforms and elevate rail-level and medium-level platforms across stations nationwide. The initiative aims to facilitate boarding and deboarding, particularly for elderly, pregnant, differently-abled, and women passengers. The extensions are essential to accommodate longer Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches and extra coaches added during peak travel periods.
According to Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, platform upgrades will help reduce difficulties faced by passengers when trains exceed current platform lengths. The railway modernization programme includes the installation of new shelters and elevation of platforms to high-level standards at key stations. Works are currently underway in Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, and Bikaner divisions at a total cost of approximately Rs 262 crore, with platform extension and elevation specifically costing around Rs 80 crore.
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Platform shelters are being added at 46 stations in the Ajmer Division and 63 stations in other regions, while full-length shelters are being installed at 17 major stations. These improvements will provide enhanced protection from weather and better seating facilities for passengers.
The upgrades form part of broader initiatives under the Adarsh Station Scheme and the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, aimed at modernizing and redeveloping over 1,300 stations with improved infrastructure, amenities, and accessibility features such as lifts, ramps, and wider foot overbridges.
Passengers have welcomed the upgrades, highlighting that longer platforms and better shelters will significantly ease travel during festival seasons and peak periods. With over 3,349 crore passengers travelling in Indian Railways over the last six years, the measures are expected to enhance safety, comfort, and convenience for millions nationwide.
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