Mumbai: In a move set to ease the discomfort of senior citizens traveling in overcrowded local trains, the Mumbai High Court has ordered the railway authorities to create a dedicated coach for them within the next two years.
This new facility is expected to be a significant relief for the elderly who currently struggle with limited reserved seating in Mumbai’s local train network.
The High Court’s direction follows a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by former court employee K.P. Purushottam Nair, highlighting the challenges faced by senior citizens, especially during peak travel hours. Currently, only a few seats are reserved for them, and overcrowded compartments make it difficult for them to travel safely and comfortably.
Proposal for a Separate Coach
The Central and Western Railways had proposed creating a separate coach for senior citizens in 2022. This proposal includes modifying the seating arrangements in the existing goods compartments, where the majority of seats are currently taken up by general passengers.
As per the railway's plan, additional seats will be added, and a coach will be designated exclusively for elderly passengers. In the 12-coach local trains, four compartments are currently designated as goods compartments, while 15-coach trains have five such compartments.
However, up to 80% of these compartments are occupied by general passengers, which makes travel difficult for senior citizens.
To address this, the court had earlier given the Railway Board until August 2023 to finalize the proposal. Despite this deadline, the Railway Board failed to approve the separate coach, leading to further court hearings.
During the hearing on September 18, Senior Advocate S.V. Bharucha, representing the railways, provided the court with an update on the proposal.
The Central Railway assured the court that changes to the seating arrangement in 105 local trains on the Western Railway and 155 on the Central Railway will be completed within two years. The affidavit submitted by the Central Railway confirmed that the work will not disrupt current services.
Once the modifications are done, the goods compartments will be reserved exclusively for senior citizens, making their travel experience safer and more comfortable.
Impact on Senior Citizens
This move is expected to significantly improve the travel conditions for senior citizens, offering them a designated space within local trains. The court’s decision has been welcomed by many, as it promises to make daily commutes much easier for the elderly population of Mumbai.
Until the new coaches are introduced, senior citizens will be allowed to travel in the goods compartments, where the seating arrangement will gradually be adapted to their needs.