Guwahati: Gauhati High Court has sought response from Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) on a public interest litigation claiming negligence on part of the NFR to provide a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities in the railway stations in Guwahati.
The PIL was filed by Shishu Sarothi, a centre for rehabilitation and training for multiple disability, highlighting the alleged abject negligence on the part of NFR to provide a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities in the Railway Stations at Guwahati.
The Division Bench of the Court, after hearing the Counsel for Shishu Sarothi, yesterday called upon the respondent NFR to file a response to the averments made by the petitioner in the said PIL.
The matter had been directed to be listed again in May, 2013, a statement from Shishu Sarothi informed.
Shishu Sarothi had started the campaign for a barrier-free environment in the railway stations in Guwahati on November 20, 2012 when 15 students from the organisation faced immense difficulties while travelling to New Delhi to perform at the National School of Drama’s Jashne Bachpan Festival.
Absence of basic facilities like availability of wheelchairs in the stations, inaccessible toilets, inaccessible platforms et al, stood as a stumbling block on the path of equal participation of these children with disabilities and their right to dignity.
Shishu Sarothi authorities said they had to file the PIL as they failed to elicit any response from the railways in spite of its representations. (UNI)