The Government of India has taken several measures to promote the cause of accessibility for Divyangjans in different public transportation systems. So far, all 35 International Airports and 55 Domestic Airports have been provided with accessibility facilities like Ramps, Toilets and Lifts. 709 A1, A and B categories of Railway Stations have been provided with many short-term facilities like Ramps, Toilets, Lifts, Helpdesk, Parking, Non-slippery walkways, Drinking Water facilities). As many as 42,000 and more buses have been made partially accessible and 8695 buses are fully accessible. Out of 3533 bus stations, 3120 have been made accessible across the country.

Under the Accessible India Campaign, Central Government conducted access audit of State/UT Government owned Public Buildings and provided financial assistance to State/UT Governments for making 1314 buildings accessible. In addition, Central Public Works Department, Government of India has retrofitted 211 Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)-owned buildings and 889 buildings of other Departments/ Ministries maintained by CPWD.

To ensure incorporation of accessibility features several Ministries/Departments have taken many measures. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) vide GSR 287(E) , GSR 367(E) , GSR 959(E) etc., notified AIS-052-Code for accessible Bus Body Design which contains special provisions for Disabled Passengers such as priority seats for persons with disabilities, seats designated for disabled passengers with appropriate sign(s), priority seats to be provided with appropriate facility for securing crutches, canes, walkers etc. to facilitate convenient travel for persons with disabilities with provision of handrails and / or stanchions. GSR 959 (E) mandates the verification provisions regarding accessibility features at the time of fitness certification. GSR 240 (E) notified the provision required for Alteration to Motor Vehicle for conversion into Adapted Vehicle.

Indian Railways has also notified ‘Guidelines on accessibility of Indian Railway Stations and facilities at stations for differently abled persons (Divyangjans) and passengers with reduced mobility’, which has provisions of facilities for Divyangjans and passengers with reduced mobility such as entrance ramps, accessible parking, low height ticket counter/help booths, toilets, drinking water booth, sub-ways/foot over bridges with ramps/lifts, standard signages including Braille signages and tactile pathways for visual impairment, etc.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in the Metro/RRTS projects have designed user-friendly mass transport system which can ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities, as well as people with temporary mobility problems and the elderly persons. The design standards for Metro/RRTS facilitates universal access to Public Transport Infrastructure including related facilities and services, information, etc. benefitting the people using public transport.

PM-eBus Sewa Tender specifies accessibility features and equipment as per AIS 052 & AIS 153 so as to deploy 100% 12m & 9m Buses with accessibility features including wheelchair accessibility.

The National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development conducted the review of the implementation of Accessible India Campaign as a third-party evaluation. Some key findings of this evaluation were:

· During the study, it was seen that 80.51% of the buildings were funded for retrofitting.

· The campaign covered major government buildings across the country.

· A positive attitudinal change was observed amongst government functionaries and general public towards the right of persons with disabilities to safe and easy access to public places due to this campaign.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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VM

(Lok Sabha US Q1334)

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