PIL before Bombay High Court to earmark separate coach for senior citizens in Mumbai local trains

A retired private secretary of a High Court judge has filed a petition before the Bombay High Court seeking directions to the Ministry of Railways to earmark a separate coach for senior citizens in local suburban trains in Mumbai [KP Purushothaman Nair v. Union of India & Ors.].The plea filed by 66-year-old KP Purushothaman Nair through law firm MZ & Associates pointed out that suburban trains have separate coaches for physically handicapped persons. In a similar manner, there could also be coaches for senior citizens, it was submitted.Nair, who is also a lawyer, claimed that he commutes daily from Bandra to Churchgate on local trains and approximately 50,000 senior citizens like him travel daily on suburban trains. He contended that it was difficult even for young persons to enter those trains during peak hours..The plea pointed out that the High Court had in 2009 taken cognizance of a letter written to the then Chief Justice of the High Court by advocate AB Thakker. The suo motu PIL raised grievance that there were no separate compartments for senior citizens. After that, railways had earmarked 14 seats in second class compartments in each local train for senior citizens. However, Nair stated in his petition that the senior citizens are not able to avail the benefit of these reserved seats as non-senior citizens occupy those seats during peak hours. .Nair submitted that he had addressed a representation to the Chief Justice in 2019 seeking a separate, small compartment for senior citizens in the middle portion of a rake or any place on the train. This was forwarded to the general managers of Central and Western Railways respectively by the Public Grievances Cell of the High Court for further consideration. However, Nair received a communication from the Central Railway dated January 2, 2020 stating that due to very high demand /rush of general passengers in suburban locals, it is not justified to further earmark a separate coach only for senior citizens. Aggrieved by this letter, Nair moved the High Court.In the petition, he sought directions to the ministry to consider providing one compartment with a separate entrance for senior citizens in each local train..The PIL was listed for hearing before a bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Abhay Ahuja on Thursday but could not be taken up for hearing due to paucity of time and will be heard in due course.