Goa wheelchair cricket team faced acid test even before nationals at Gwalior

Ramp and disability access at railway stations distant dream for persons with disabilities

VIKRAM NAYAK | FEBRUARY 03, 2025, 11:53 PM IST
Goa wheelchair cricket team faced acid  test even before nationals at Gwalior

The manager of the Goa Wheelchair Cricket Team while boarding the train.

VASCO

Despite repeated claims by authorities about improving accessibility for persons with disabilities, the harsh reality at railway stations in Goa tells a different story.

While train services have reserved a single coach for disabled passengers, the lack of proper infrastructure—especially ramps—makes rail travel an arduous experience for wheelchair users.

The issue came to the forefront when the Goa Wheelchair Cricket Team, which was selected for the first time to represent the State at the 4th National Wheelchair Cricket Tournament in Gwalior, faced severe difficulties while boarding their train from Vasco railway station on Sunday.


Lack of basic infrastructure


Patrick D'Souza, President of Disability Alliance for Inclusive Goa and Manager of the Goa Wheelchair Cricket Team, expressed deep frustration over the persistent lack of accessibility in railway stations and trains.

"We are representing the State at a national level in Gwalior, but with the high cost of air travel, many of us have no choice but to travel by train. We boarded the train with 17 members, yet accessibility remains a huge challenge. This is my second journey for a wheelchair cricket tournament outside Goa, and nothing has changed. The struggle is still the same," lamented D'Souza.

“Despite the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates public places to be accessible, railway stations in Goa still lack even basic ramps for wheelchair users.”

"It was heartbreaking to see that there is no ramp at Vasco railway station for us to board the train. I had to specially request a ramp this time because during my last trip, I faced unimaginable difficulties. We often have to arrange our own ramps or hire four to five coolies just to help us board. It is humiliating for us," he added.


Limited bogie, no dignity


While the government claims to provide 5% reservation to disabled passengers, D’Souza pointed out that there is only one reserved bogie per train, accommodating just six persons. To make matters worse, only four can sleep properly, while the remaining two may have to sleep on the floor.

"Only six disabled people can travel in a train from Goa to Delhi. We often adjust and share our space to accommodate more, but once the train crosses the Goa border, non-disabled passengers start entering our bogie. The last time we complained, railway authorities did nothing. They simply told us that we at least had a place to sit. But we don’t just want to sit — we want dignity while travelling," he said.


Discrimination between

air, rail travel?


D'Souza also raised concerns about the stark contrast in facilities provided to disabled passengers on flights as compared to trains.

"Airports have proper infrastructure. There, officials assist wheelchair users to board the flights. Why can’t railway stations do the same? Are they differentiating between the rich disabled passengers who fly and the poor disabled passengers who take trains? If the government can provide world-class facilities at airports, why not at railway stations?" he questioned.

He further criticised the condition of the two wheelchairs available at Vasco railway station, calling them "useless" as they are uncomfortable for more than ten minutes of use.

The Goa Wheelchair Cricket Team has appealed to both State and Central Railway authorities to take immediate action to improve accessibility for disabled passengers.

"Lakhs of people travel by train every day, and it is time we ensure that disabled passengers get proper facilities. We are not asking for luxury, just basic dignity. We appeal to the government to implement proper ramps, functional wheelchairs, and strict monitoring of the reserved bogies," D’Souza said.


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