M.V.Ruparelia, A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East) Dist. Thane. 401107. M. 09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in
To Date: 17-5-11.
General Manager, General Manager,
Western Railway, Central Railway,
Churchgate-Mumbai-400020. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus-Mumbai-400001.
Dear Sirs,
Sub: Looking after Your Elders- National Policy of Older Persons, 1999 (NPOP,99).
The Government of India had declared the National Policy on Older Persons as early as 1999 covering all aspects required to be taken into account for welfare of Older Persons. The Policy declared the Older Persons as respected Citizens requiring strengthening of their legitimate place in the Society and to take all actions to help them to live their last phase of life with Purpose, Dignity and Peace. The Policy (para 68) provides fare concessions in all modes of travel with preferences in reservation of seats in Public Transport. We are thankful to both Railways for earmarking seats for Senior Citizens in Suburban Trains during non-peak hours. As you are aware, even in non-peak hours, it is difficult for Senior Citizens, who are frail & more handicapped than medically certified handicaps, due to age factor, to enter the overcrowded trains and avail of this facility. In view of this and in view of more trains with 12/15 compartments and 4 lines between Borivali-Virar Section, we request you to provide your Elders a small compartment like for handicapped and also permit them to travel by Ladies Special by earmarking one side of one coach to enable them to enter and reach Doctors/Pathological Centres, which are generally available in Morning Hours. We would also request you to earmark some seats in all First Class Compartments.
2. As per para 9.2 of Other Important Information in Western Zone Time Tables at page C 39, passengers holding through tickets up to Certain Terminals and desirous of travelling by local trains to suburban stations short of those Terminals are permitted to travel by local train up to destination shown in their tickets. This facility is not available for down trains. e.g. Passengers desiring to go to any station between Borivali to Virar or between Mumbai Central to Churchgate and similarly on Central Railway have to go to Suburban Booking Office with heavy luggage and purchase a ticket. All passengers including Senior Citizens find this very difficult due to overcrowded platforms and harassment of & non availability of coolies. Railways are a Public Utility Concerns and have liberalized various rules for Passengers` Conveniences & Amenities. e.g. all Exit Gates are kept unmanned and passengers are allowed to exit freely. Compared to such liberalization, this very old rule, which is causing undue harassment to passengers may kindly be modified. Tickets for last Station of Mumbai should permit passengers to travel one time within existing restriction of one hour to any station of suburban trains without being so much harassed as at present. This may kindly be considered sympathetically for all and if not possible, atleast for your Elders to avoid their abuse.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely,
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