With the opening of metro rail services, the lockdown in Delhi has ended. People have started using the metro rails on a full scale. As part of this meetup, the Patel Chowk Metro station was visited and the following accessibility features were assessed:
- Availability of ramps and elevators.
- Accessibility of the elevators and toilets.
- Availability of hand-rails, tactile paths, and extra-wide automatic flap-gates.
- Availability of numbers and emergency call buttons in elevators in Braille and at a low height.
- Audio-visual indications and signages at prominent public places.
- Accessibility of the parking space.
- Visual indicators in metro-train for the vision-impaired.
- Audio Announcements inside the metro-train about station, arrival, and door opening side.
This meetup was conducted as part of the Accessibility for All Movement
Here’s an overview of the various accessibility features at the Patel Chowk Metro Station in Delhi.
The entry to the metro parking area is leveled with the road to ease the entry of a wheelchair.
Ramps are available from the parking towards the metro premises to ease the navigation of the differently-abled.
The parking area is entirely covered with concrete flooring and leveled to ease the movement of a wheelchair.
Clear and large indications are available pointing towards accessible entry to the metro station.
The availability of an accessible elevator is also clearly indicated.
There is a ramp towards the elevator entry.
The ramp has handrails to aid the differently-abled.
The ramp also has a tactile path to aid the visually-challenged.
The elevator button has a Braille sign embossed.
The elevator floor when opened is leveled with the outside floor to ease the access of a wheelchair.
The elevator has buttons with Braille button to choose the floor, open, close, and emergency call.
The elevator has handrails to aid the differently-abled.
Inside the station are tactile paths present everywhere to aid the visually-challenged.
There are large displays to indicate various areas in prominent places.
Staircases inside the station have handrails to aid the differently-abled.
Directions to accessible toilets or washrooms are clearly indicated with large size displays.
Tactile paths are marked on the platform as well.
Wide flap gates are available to facilitate the entry of a wheelchair.
Floors are painted with clear signs with instructions written on them for easy noticing and reading.
BR,
Tushar Suradkar
Delhi, India