After a long wait, commuters using the Central Railway network will finally be able to use lifts, which will be installed from January 26. Two lifts will be inaugurated by the General Manager on Republic Day and rest will be installed in the coming three to four months at other Central Railway stations.
A Central Railway official said the lifts and escalators would be installed at all large railway stations. “We are fully ready to complete the work. Two lifts are ready for installation on January 26 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.” The Central Railway has already already installed three lifts at CST station on platforms 16, 17 and 18. The two new lifts will help commuters to access platforms 12, 13, 14 and 15.
18 lifts in all
A total 18 lifts have been commissioned to be installed by the Central Railway. The remaining 16 lifts will be installed at railway stations which see large passenger traffic including Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Ghatkopar, Thane, Dombivali, Kalyan and Lonavla. “We have been getting lots of demands from passengers, especially from pregnant ladies and elderly people who find it difficult to travel with heavy luggage,” the official said.
The decision to install the lifts at the railway stations was taken on the basis of the number of passengers and long distance train services at a particular station. The official also informed that the lifts can be used by nearly 12 people at a time. The service would be available only for pregnant women, senior citizens and physically challenged passengers.
The lifts will operate between the platform and the footover bridge. It would cost around ₹ 15 lakh to install each lift. Madhu Kotian, president, Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, said, “Major stations need lifts, but authorities should not ignore other stations. This is a very good step as many passengers will be benefited.”
Ashok Kumar Singh, public relations officer, Central Railway, said, “The work is in full swing. This will benefit senior citizens, disabled and women passengers.”
