Bombay High Court asks railways to consider separate coach for senior citizens

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Central and Western railways to consider providing a separate compartment for senior citizens travelling on local trains.

A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and Amjad Sayed asked the railways' authorities to file an affidavit within six weeks giving their stand on the issue.

The HC had taken suo moto cognisance of a letter written by a senior citizen, AB Thakkar, in 2009. Thakkar had said that it was a nightmare for senior citizens to enter jam-packed trains during peak hours.

Despite there being a few seats reserved for the elderly in general coaches on both Central and Western railways, it is nearly impossible to occupy them, said the letter.

Thakkar has sought that the railways should allot a separate coach for senior citizens similar to the one allotted for the disabled, cancer patient and pregnant women.

Agreeing with the senior citizen's contention, Justice Oka said that it was a genuine request which should be considered. The judge said, "The problem is genuine. The CR and WR should form a scheme so that travel of senior citizens is made easy during the rush hour."