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Bombay HC raps railways for policy charging passengers to avail medical services at stations

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The Bombay High Court on Friday rapped the railways for coming out with a policy as per which it has agreed to set up emergency medical centres at stations but will charge passengers a Golden Hour Cess for availing its services.

A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and AS Gadkari said, "Can the railways take a stand that court orders will be complied with but cost will be recovered from the passengers? We hope and trust that the railways will reconsider its decision..."

The Policy Guidelines for setting EMR lists just 15 out of the over 100 stations on the suburban railway network where such a facility will be provided. The affidavit says general manager of Central Railway has accepted the proposal and sought a 10% increase in passenger fares to meet the cost involved.

The railways has selected the 15 stations as the number of accidents at those particular ones is over 100 every year. The facility will be provided within the next three months at stations where a spare room is available and within six months at stations not having a spare room as, to provide the facility, "portable cabins will have to be constructed/erected or rented out from the nearest possible location".

These rooms will have one doctor, one nurse and one attendant round the clock. The rooms will be equipped with a bed, stretcher and other necessary medical equipment.

The court had last month reprimanded the railways for not being able to provide the facility despite court orders and assurances in the past. The HC also warned it with action under Contempt of Courts Act after railways said it would not be able to set up emergency medical centres.

The court has now told the railways to file its affidavit by December 23. The state government also has to inform whether it will be able to provide ambulances at every suburban railway station.

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