Disabled Group Seeks Rail Station Improvements In India

A group of protesters demonstrated in front of the Tirunelveli, India, railway junction on August 11, calling for railway stations across the country to improve rail facilities to accommodate physically challenged travelers, The Hindu reported. The protesters said the specially designed railway coaches, which are easily accessible, should be returned to operation, and elevators and escalators should be installed in all major railway stations to ensure easy movement. They also called for the withdrawal of platform ticket fares and for the extension to Tamil Nadu of the fuel subsidy currently given in the union territories of Puducherry and Chandigarh.