With the Delhi Metro network expanding rapidly, barrier-free mobility continues to be an issue for the differently abled.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), in reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query of The Hindu on August 24 , stated that tactile paths are placed “at every entry and exit point, as well as the automatic fare collection gates at every station” to assist visually impaired passengers.
However, for several such commuters, locating tactile paths continues to be a problem.
DMRC network
Currently, the Delhi Metro network is spread over 296 km and the DMRC aims to achieve an average daily ridership of 39 lakh once the entire Phase-III is operational.
Ameera Marak, who is visually impaired and a second-year student of Indraprastha College for Women, says, “Any means of public transport in Delhi is not as smooth as we would want it to be to enable us to travel independently. As for metro stations, the platforms in most cases are huge and it becomes difficult for us to know the exact point from where the tactile path starts. Similar problems exist outside the stations as well.”
“At times the helpers [who assist the visually impaired from the gates to the coach] are not present at the station. Even when they are, it takes a lot of time for them to arrive. It would be beneficial for us if there is a talking system at all exit and entry gates which also lets us know of the remaining balance in our smart cards. Every time I want to know the balance, I need to ask others,” adds Ms. Marak, who exits at Civil Lines metro station to reach college.
The presence of tactile paths does not ensure accessibility, says Bipin Tewari of Delhi University’s Equal Opportunities Cell.
“Simply laying down tactile paths does not mean that you have provided accessibility. While at some stations there are too many stairs before you reach the tactile path, in others, they do not lead to the lifts. There is a lack of proper signage as well. The DMRC is supposed to follow international norms of accessibility,” says Mr. Tewari.
Communication modes
Highlighting the importance of better communication modes to facilitate the visually impaired commuters navigate through the stations and reach the trains, S.K. Rungta of National Association for Blind says the mechanism to facilitate commuters within the stations should be improved. s“Unfortunately, when we talk about better accessibility, we only concentrate on providing lifts. By doing so, we leave behind the other differently abled groups, like the visually impaired, who need tactile paths to know exactly where they are. There have been several instances where commuters have been hurt due to improper placement of the paths. Several stations do not even have tactile paths,” says Mr. Rungta.
He acknowledges that the helpline system [through which the visually impaired can ask for assistance at metro stations] for visually impaired commuters has improved over the years. “It is a part of their [the DMRC’s] mandate and they are required to provide proper access to the differently abled,” he says.
Amit Bhargava, a regular metro commuter, says, “Several lines on the Delhi Metro network, especially the new Pink and Magenta Lines, are not disabled-friendly or senior citizen-friendly. Some exits [like the one at the new Hauz Khas station] cut into parks, while others [one of the gates of Dabri Mor station] are too far from the main road. One has to walk at least 200-300 metres to reach the road. The approach to the tactile path is also difficult. What is the point of having a tactile path if one cannot access it easily?”
Neelam Patel, a first-year student of Delhi University, says, “There are very few stations which have tactile paths guiding commuters to public toilets.”
‘Direction of travel’
When asked about the absence of tactile paths at the gates of some stations, a DMRC official on Sunday said: “In Phase-III, tactile paths are provided at all gates falling in the direction of travel of a passenger on the road. Any station which has more than one gate in same direction of travel will have tactile path only on one gate.”
The official added, “However, if a gate is missing the tactile path due to unforeseen circumstances then it may be under process of execution and will be covered soon.”
(With inputs from Ivjyot Singh Oberoi)
