Maharashtra set to get disabled-friendly transport, infrastructure

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is all set to make transport, buildings and toilets disabled friendly within a year’s time. The decision was taken after a meeting held with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, via video conferencing. The Prime Minister instructed chief secretary Sumit Mullick that the state should make special provisions for physically challenged people. He mentioned better modes of transportation, access to government buildings and special toilets at public places.

An official from Mantralaya said that India is  one of the signatories to the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“It is mandatory for us to make provisions for the physically challenged. The social justice and empowerment ministry has started a campaign on this line and we have extended our support to it. It is also true that Maharashtra is lagging behind in fulfilling the parameters to have a disabled friendly environment,” the official said.

About 50 state government buildings will now have ramps and platforms for the physically challenged and around 1,000 buses will be equipped with low platforms for easy access. Separate public toilets too are being planned at various places.  The public works department has been already told to chalk out a plan for that, the official added.

State transport buses will be equipped with low platforms to make it easy to climb. “We have asked for five seats to be reserved for the physically challenged in each state transport bus. The seats should have support bars and  velcro belts for the convenience of the physically challenged,” the official said. As for public toilets, one toilet seat would be constructed separately for physically challenged persons, the official said.

Change is on the way

The PM instructed chief secretary Sumit Mullick that provisions should be made for the physically challenged .
About 50 state government buildings will now have ramps and platforms for the
physically challenged
Around 1,000 buses will be equipped with low platforms for easy access.
Separate public toilets too are being planned at various places.