Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 14: In a landmark move to ensure inclusive mobility, the Centre has released a draft ‘Transport Accessibility Framework’ proposing sweeping changes across India’s transport systems to make them more accessible for persons with disabilities.
The draft, prepared by the Strategic Accessibility Cell – Rights of Riders under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, sets out stringent, enforceable standards covering air, rail, road, Metro, ropeways and even ferries. Public comments and stakeholder feedback have been invited before finalisation.
The proposed guidelines, aligned with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandate non-negotiable measures such as low-floor buses with wheelchair spaces and ramps, level boarding ramps at Metro and train stations, step-free toilets, and specially trained staff.
Metro and rail services will be required to introduce wider coach doors, rubber gap fillers at platforms, wheelchair anchorage zones, and Type A accessible toilets. Airports must provide step-free access from parking to boarding gates, aircraft aisle chairs, wheelchair-friendly seating, and inclusive entertainment systems.
Even taxis and e-rickshaws will have to include a share of accessible vehicles, with trained drivers to assist passengers with disabilities. Long-distance trains must feature at least one accessible coach per composition.
The framework also introduces innovative features like quiet sensory rooms for neurodivergent travellers, tactile guiding strips, QR code signage, and compulsory data publishing on disability complaints.
Apps and online booking platforms must meet digital accessibility standards, and national policies such as the Motor Vehicles Act and urban infrastructure codes will be updated accordingly. A time-bound budget and procurement mechanism has been proposed to ensure swift implementation.
Officials said that once approved, the new standards would be legally binding and crucial for creating a barrier-free, inclusive transport ecosystem nationwide.