Railways pulled up for not complying with court orders

The Bombay high court on Friday came down heavily on the railways for failing to make suburban railway stations disabled-friendly and increasing the height of platforms to reduce the gap between the local train’s footboard and platforms and seeking further time to implement the court’s order in this regard.

The division bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka on Friday said that the order to make railway stations disabled-friendly and increasing the height of platforms was supposed to be implemented last year, but the authorities not only failed to do so, but are also seeking more time.

In the meantime, the Cidco informed the court that it is handing over all the railway stations to the railways and it would not be responsible for maintaining them. Following this, the HC asked the railway authorities to inform the court if it is planning to outsource the maintenance of the railway stations to another agency. The court has also directed the authorities to give the name of any of its officer who would be responsible for completing the work of increasing the height of railway stations, as well as making it disabled-friendly.

The bench has directed the railways to provide a name of its officer by March 23, when matter would be heard again.

In the past, the railways had assured the court that suburban stations in Mumbai would be made disabled-friendly and have facilities like low height ticket counters by December 31, however, the work is yet to be completed.