(a) whether the urban public transport system in the country is not user friendly for the physically challenged persons in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up a Committee for finding ways and means so as to provide user friendly public transport in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard including user friendly urban public transport policy for the disabled?
MINSTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SAUGATA ROY)
(a) No, Madam. Metro Rail Systems, which are being provided with assistance from Central Government, are user friendly for physically challenged.
(b) Does not arise.
(c) No, Madam.
(d) Does not arise.
(e) The following measures have been taken:-
(i) In all Metro Stations tactile tiles have been put up to facilitate the blind. A ringing bell
sound is used to indicate train arriving at platform besides audio visual announcements.
(ii) At the Metro Stations facilities for movement of physically challenged persons like appropriate signages, ramps, lifts, holding bars in the lifts, automatic extra-wide flap gates, wide doors of lifts and trains for use of wheel chairs, dedicated space for wheel chair users in the first & last car of every train have been provided.
(iii) Additional Central Assistance (ACA) for purchase of 15,260 modern intelligent transport system enabled buses
in 61 mission cities under bus funding project under JNNURM has been provided. A detailed “Recommendatory Urban Bus Specifications’’ has been prepared for purchase of these buses which include installation of systems for physically challenged persons.
(iv) Center Govt. has also advised State Governments. To ensure that public places including transport are made
accessible to physically challenged persons.