Every city has a network of public transport which makes it easier for people to travel from one place to another but do all modes of transport are accessible in your city???
To find out this, during WAW19 a tour of my city was done focussing mainly on public transport…
* Bus Station: Udaipur is one of the biggest cities of South Rajasthan and it’s famous among both domestic and foreign tourists. It is at the heart of the tribal belt of Mewar and to reach every nook and corner, government buses are a popular mode of transport.
Accessibility Review:
To make it accessible, there must be low floor buses, folding ramps, accessibility signs etc.
• But I was amazed to see that there were no low floor buses, forget about having foldable ramps…
• There were no signs of accessibility and no Braille was used for blinds.
• I even noticed that there were many obstacles which would create a problem for special people.
• Only two things which had some kind of accessibility …
- The bench were low which may help people with disability
Low seats at Udaipur Bus Station.
- “Reserved Seats”(विकलांग के लिए) There were some seats reserved for special people which are of just symbolic value.
* Udaipur City Railway Station- I have been to railway station many times, and it never had anything related to accessibility but I still took a chance to see whether the authorities have done something or not.
Atleast it was less disappointing then Bus station.
Accessibility Review:
• Just at the entrance, there was a signboard of Ramp and it had 2 dedicated sections of it for differently abled people.
(A photo showing ramp at the Railway Station.)
• The platforms were connected by overbridges which had both escalators and lifts along with traditional staircases which makes it accessible.
• Seperate washrooms were also under-construction (so expect one more accessibility feature for public)
• The height of water cooler was low then the traditional ones.
• Braille used beside usual English and Hindi words.
Overall railway station had more accessibility features than the bus stand. I just hope that they too have them in future and it can only happen when people demand for it. It is a necessity and sorry for being late as I had my exams?.. Thank you @EmekaUlor your work has inspired me a lot and to take accessibility seriously…
Link to all the Accessible Udaipur WAW19 .
