The Civil Aviation Ministry has constituted a committee to look into the problems faced by the differently-abled or persons with reduced mobility while undertaking air travel and give suggestions on improving the facilities to make their travel more convenient.
The panel on the ‘Rights of Passengers with Disabilities and Reduced Mobility,' to be chaired by G. Asok Kumar, joint secretary in the Ministry, has been asked to give a report in eight weeks.
The committee will include representatives of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, airlines, and organisations involved in working for persons with disability/reduced mobility.
The panel will look into several relevant aspects, including the required modification to the Civil Aviation Requirement in view of the guidelines adopted in developed countries and the resolution formed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
It will review issues such as inconvenience faced by persons with disabilities right from the stage of booking of tickets; arrival at the airport; checking-in, issues related to location and design of facilities like toilets, wheelchairs, check-in counters; issues at security checking. Boarding of aircraft, seating in aircraft, disembarking, and collection of luggage will also be reviewed.
Series of complaints
The move follows a series of complaints from differently-abled persons. The Ministry had called a meeting with the stakeholders earlier this week, where it was decided to constitute the committee.
