Fwd: Request for Incorporating Foldable Ramp Technology for the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-II Train Doors for enabling Barrier Free Movement for All

[Disability Rights Alliance, INDIA]

From August 2024 🔻

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sathish Kumar <sksathish...@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Aug, 2024, 20:33
Subject: Request for Incorporating Foldable Ramp Technology for the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-II Train Doors for enabling Barrier Free Movement for All
To: <olivier...@alstomgroup.com>, <Siddi...@cmrl.in>, <masidd...@yahoo.co.in>, <ministe...@nic.in>, <ccrs...@gov.in>, <cmc...@tn.gov.in>, <mudhalvar...@gmail.com>, <scd...@nic.in>, <scd...@gmail.com>, Disability Rights Alliance India <disabilityrig...@gmail.com>

22nd Aug 2024

From,

R. Sathish Kumar

No. 19, Vembuliamman Koil 6^th Street,

Gowrivakkam, Chennai – 600073.

To,

Mr. Olivier Loison

Managing Director, Alstom India

Alstom Transport India Limited

66/2, 3rd Floor, Embassy Prime,

C.V. Raman Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560075

 

Sub: Request for Incorporating Foldable Ramp Technology for the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-II Train Doors for enabling Barrier Free Movement for All

 

Dear Mr. Olivier Loison,

Warm Greetings of the Day !

I would like to introduce myself Sathish Kumar from Chennai, who works actively towards ensuring an Accessible Environment making it an Inclusive Society for everyone. Happy that Alstom has been one of the biggest global manufacturers of trains in different countries for many years doing it successfully. In the same way, you have been building the Metro Train Cars (compartments) for Chennai Metro Rail and other Indian cities too. In continuation to the Chennai Metro Rail Phase 1, now you are in the process of building the metro train cars for the Chennai Metro Rail phase 2 also and going to deliver it soon.

 

At this juncture, I would like to bring to your notice a few important points lacking on the safety for different kinds of travellers especially people with reduced mobility on wheelchairs or senior citizens who travel on Chennai Metro Rail. There is a small gap in between the Metro Train and the Station Platform along with the small height difference also which depends upon the passenger’s weight. This gap between both creates a big safety issue for people who are using walking stick where in it can get struck in that gap as well as the front wheels of a wheelchair if it turns perpendicular by 90 degree while getting inside or getting outside, there is a great risk that this front wheels can get stuck in between the gap and the person on the wheelchair have more chances of falling down. This might be an safety concern sometimes even for the small kids whose legs can get struck in between the gap. In this modern world, I feel that Alstom with all your expertise and knowledge in the railway industry you can create a Small Foldable Bridge Ramp which will open simultaneously while the metro train doors opens. This technology is available in few other countries and I request you to incorporate this technology for the upcoming Chennai Metro Rail trains in the Phase 2.

 

I am listing down in detailed the problems faced at the gap between the Metro Trains and the Station Platform along with pictures as well as providing you the solutions with pictures of Bridging Ramp which was captured from other countries.

The problems faced at the Gap between the Metro Trains and the Metro Station Platform

Solution of providing a Small Foldable Bridging Ramp like the similar one available in Switzerland

Video Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h59I613Mi4g

With the problems shown in the Gap Issue between the Metro Trains and the Metro Station Platform, there is a serious risk which might create accidents to the passengers. I request you to design a similar Foldable Bridge Ramp simultaneously along the Door Opening with Platform Train Interface in the upcoming Metro Trains of Chennai Metro Rail Phase – 2 which will solve the solution to this gap issue as well also to the height difference wherein the ramp will be opened upon the station platform even though the train floor has a different height at different times based on the weight of the passengers. I hope with all the knowledge and expertise Alstom has over the years, by adding this Foldable Bridge Ramp feature it will be helpful in ensuring seamless accessibility for everyone travelling. Accessibility and Safety precautions should be given the outmost importance.

Attached Enclosure:

Softcopy of Letter to Alstom India (Hardcopy of the same has been sent through Post)

Thanking You,

CC to:
M.A. Siddique, IAS, Managing Director, Chennai Metro Rail Limited
Manohar Lal, Hon'ble Minister Of Housing And Urban Affairs
Janak Kumar Garg, Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety
M. Lakshmi, IAS, Director for Welfare of the Differently Abled
Chief Minister’s Special Cell, Secretariat, Chennai

--

Regards,
R.Sathish Kumar