The Ministry of Railways, under the leadership of Ashwini Vaishnaw, released a booklet on Monday titled "Standard Signages at Stations on Indian Railways" with the objective of implementing a standardised and modern signage system across all railway stations in the country.
The adoption of standardised signage is crucial due to the large number of railway stations in India, which stands at over 7,300, spread across 17 zones and 68 divisions, each with their unique styles of signage. By implementing a uniform signage system, the passenger experience can be improved and consistency can be ensured, he said.
User-friendly booklet
The booklet lays emphasis on making the signage Divyang (physically challenged) friendly and accessible to all passengers, including the elderly, women and children. The guidelines prioritize simple language, clear fonts, easy-to-see colours, and intuitive pictograms. The colours, fonts, and sizes of the signages have been standardised, and the concept of grouping signages has been introduced to aid navigating. The guidelines also introduce tertiary boards displaying station names with tricolour backgrounds to improve visibility.
The booklet also acknowledges the importance of accommodating stations with unique architectural features that may require some degree of flexibility in the implementation of the signage system. “The aim is to provide intuitive navigating and ensure the availability of signage at key decision-making points,” said an official.
Aim to modernise Indian Railways
The booklet is a part of the “Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme,” which aims to modernise and develop railway stations across India. The initiative focuses on providing safe, comfortable, and clean premises for passengers, and includes redevelopment of 1,275 stations across major cities, tourist destinations, and pilgrimage centers. While 88 stations are currently under construction, the remaining 1,187 stations are undergoing tendering and planning processes.
“The release of the booklet is a significant step toward enhancing the passenger experience and creating a unified identity for Indian Railways across the country," an official said.
Will adopt modern, standard signages friendly for divyangs: Vaishnaw
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Indian Railways, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, has been continuously striving to enhance the passenger experience at railway stations. It was deemed necessary to issue standard guidelines on signages at stations that are uniform and sufficient. Indian Railways will adopt modern, standardised signages that are friendly to the Divyang and accessible to all passengers."
Indian Railways has the largest number of stations in the world, making it essential for every passenger to have easy access to facilities. The adoption of standard signage across all railway stations will ensure consistency and improve the passenger experience.
