Pune Metro Strives To Become Disabled-Friendly; Invites Divyang Persons To Review Facilities And Give Suggestions

Vivek Patil
Pune, 1st September 2021: Pune Metro officials on Tuesday invited persons with disabilities (PWDs) at Sant Tukaram Metro Station in Pimpri Chinchwad to review and give beneficial suggestions for making facilities within the station and commutation for PWDs in the metro trains accessible and comfortable.

Orthopaedically challenged Diksha Dinde, a national youth awardee who works on accessibility and inclusive education, posted on Facebook, “Inclusion starts with you!! Yesterday I was invited along with other PWDs by Pune Metro to review the Metro Station and to give valuable suggestions to make the transportation facility accessible to all.

When I heard about this opportunity, I was literally in tears. As no one ever thought before to take the suggestions from the person with disabilities and to understand their needs.

Transportation and mobility play (a) vital role to create an equal opportunity for the PWDs. Affordable and reliable transportation will open new doors to education, employment, health care etc. for people with disabilities. They can surely live their life with dignity and respect.

In Pune Metro, there are still (a) lot of things which need to be done but they are making efforts to make everyone’s life more bearable.”

Speaking to PunekarNews.in over the phone, Diksha said, “Because of the lack of infrastructure for PWDs in most public areas, I never personally used public transport. When I was on international visits, for the first time I lived an independent life because of the accessible transport. As a person with a disability, I was very overwhelmed when Pune Metro considered us and asked for our opinion and feedback regarding the facilities for PWDs in the metro and then assuring that they will implement the changes accordingly.”

Diksha appreciated some of the steps taken by the Pune Metro authorities for PWDs. “A lot of good steps have been taken by them like adding the braille buttons on the lift at the bottom instead of the top, which makes it very reachable for a wheelchair user. They have reserved two seats for PWDs in every coach. For people with disabilities who are travelling alone, will have a helpline number which will send a helper and assist them through all procedures ahead. They have wheelchairs inside the metro stations which you don’t see in most public places and can be equally helpful for older people as well”, she informed.

Diksha pointed out a few issues that need to be attended to. “I found my wheelchair to be stuck between the gap, and that would particularly be a problem for people who are visually impaired as chances are they wouldn’t notice the gap and this could lead to an accident. There need to be signs inside the metro with big writings as people with low vision find it hard to read small fonts. The belt provided to attach your wheelchair to the reserved seat is inaccessible and would be very difficult for PWDs when they are travelling on their own. It would be laborious and there are chances where other commuters won’t help because you have to bend down to attach the wheels as some may find it dirty to touch the wheel and overlook to help. There aren’t any signs for its applications as well, which can be confusing”, she suggested.

She further added, “There should be a sign on the platforms for us to understand where we have to stand to enter the coach so that we can comfortably reach the reserved parking for wheelchairs within the metro coach. The washrooms in the metros are not accessible at all. Basic facilities like bars, easier entry for wheelchairs through the door cannot be spotted.”

The Pune Metro officials including project consultant Amol Deshpande, DGM Manoj Kumar Daniel and Rashmi Urdhwareshe of Pune Cluster Centre noted down suggestions. They individually spoke to every PWD and addressed their concerns.

As per Section 41 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act,2016, the requirements of disabled people should be aligned with the building code, and any new infrastructure should be inclusive. The government shall ensure access to all modes of transport that will conform with design standards for persons with disabilities, the law states.