For the first time, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has drafted an advisory for states emphasising the need to make public transport disabled-friendly. Which is welcome but the advisory says this should apply to 25% of vehicles when the RPWD Act says 100%.

As a part of the Accessible India Campaign, comes a first of its kind move from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which has asked all states to make at least 25% of their bus fleet and private passenger vehicles more accessible for people with disabilities. A ministry official said that this will make it easier for disabled people to travel.

The advisory says:

• 25% of government owned public transport vehicles and private passenger vehicles to be made fully accessible to disabled people.
• Immediate steps must be taken to make all bus stops/ terminals/ports accessible.
• Take steps for retro-fitment of buses including wooden or metallic plank to provide easy access to people with disabilities.

• Under the Union government guidelines, there should be adequate number of wheelchairs, visible and marked spaces at all bus stops/ports/terminals, adequate handrails and human assistance and audio-visual info systems for passengers who are visually-impaired as well as hard of hearing. There should also be an emergency button near designated seats.

  However, the advisory has raised more questions than answers. Specifically why it has laid down a 25% specification when the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act mandates that 100% of all public transport should be accessible.

  Among the first to question this advisory was disability rights advocate and CEO, Nipman Foundation Nipun Malhotra. It was thanks to his persistent efforts that the Supreme Court of Indiarecently passed ruled that the government of Delhi must procure only low floor accessible buses and not standard floor.
  Read more: https://newzhook.com/story/ministry-advisory-on-accessible-public-transport-raises-questions