New Delhi: The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, has come up with new guidelines to make public transport more friendly for the differently-abled.The draft guidelines state that separate spaces should be mandatory for wheelchairs in buses and metro trains.
The government has sought feedback from the public and associates on the guidelines. The guidelines cover facilities and systems from booking tickets to the end of the journey. Most of the provisions are mandatory. They are in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
On trains
Rubber gap filters and boarding ramps should be installed on the platforms of metro trains and regular trains. Coach doors should be widened to allow wheelchair access.
On aeroplanes
Airports should provide a step-free route from the parking to the check-in. Aerobridges without rollout ramps should be installed. Wheelchair-friendly seating should be provided on aircraft. Aircraft should have storage facilities to store assistive devices, including wheelchairs. Technology should also be developed to provide captions for entertainment broadcasts, including video screens.
In taxis and e-rickshaws
Taxi services and electric rickshaw services should include wheelchair-friendly vehicles in their fleet. Sensory rooms should be built in transport hubs for passengers with neurological problems. A QR code system should also be introduced.