2022
Every major and minor city in India has an MG Road which is named after Mahatma Gandhi except in Gurugram which stands for Mehrauli-Gurgaon road. There's even an MG Road metro station.
With the opening of metro rail services, the lockdown in Gurugram has ended. People have started using the metro rails on a full scale. As part of this meetup, the MG Road Metro station was visited and the following accessibility features were assessed:
1. Availability of ramps and elevators.
2. Accessibility of the elevators and toilets.
3. Availability of hand-rails, tactile paths, and extra-wide automatic flap-gates.
4. Availability of numbers and emergency call buttons in elevators in Braille and at a low height.
5. Audio-visual indications and signages at prominent public places.
6. Accessibility of the parking space.
7. Visual indicators in metro-train for the vision-impaired.
8. Audio Announcements inside the metro-train about station, arrival, and door opening side.
Here's an overview of the various accessibility features at the MG Road Metro Station in Gurugram.
1. Availability of Ramps and Elevators.
♿ ✔️ Ramps are available from the road level towards the lift/elevator lobby.
2. Accessibility of the Elevators
The elevator/lift lobby has a well-paved and leveled surface for ease of access for the differently-abled with clear accessibility signs.
Also, the elevator door on opening revealed a leveled joint to enable a smooth entry for a wheelchair.
3. Accessibility of Toilets.
The toilet had a clear sign of the accessibility icon and also there was ready provision for a wheelchair when demanded along with a housekeeping staff who promptly took passengers to the destination.
4. Availability Extra-Wide Automatic Flap-Gates.
As seen in the photo above both wheelchair and an extra-wide gate were available for smooth entry to the station after purchasing the ticket.
5. Availability of Handrails
Handrails were available on the staircase and also inside the train coach besides marked sitting places reserved for the differently-abled also called 'Divyang' in India.
6. Tactile Paths
Tactile paths to aid the visually-impaired are found everywhere in the metro station.
7. Availability of Numbers and Emergency Call Buttons in Elevators in Braille and at a Low Height.
8. Audio-Visual Indications and Signages at Prominent Places.
9. Visual indicators in the Metro Coach for the Vision Impaired.
The entrance to the metro coach was leveled-off with the platform, there were visual indicator stickers all over the floor both on the platform and also inside the coach for the visually-impaired. Besides this, there was a train route well-illuminated with indicators glowing in a different color when a station is approaching and also indicating the stations traveled.
10. Audio Announcements Inside the Metro Coach About Station, Arrival, and Door Opening Side.
During the entire travel, I could hear announcements regarding the next station and the side of the coach the door will open.
The announcements were loud and clear to help those with hearing impairments.
Here's the video about the meetup that includes some extra video footage besides the photos.
BR,
Tushar Suradkar
Gurugram, India
त्रिवार आभार मित्रा @Rohan10
तुझ्या सारख्या मित्रांची साथ आणि अविरत प्रशंसा व प्रोत्साहना मुळे इथवर मजल मारली याचे मोठे श्रेय तुला जातं 😊
Thank you @Velvel
Since this is a relatively modern metro station, several accessibility features are included.
Brilliant post @Tushar_Suradkar
I saw Tactile tiles first time in Srilanka and then in Malaysia, I never thought about it, till I met @IlankovanT in Accessibility meetups and Walks in Colombo, there he educate me a lot, and I can say, he is a true ambassador of Accessibility ♿.
