The Government of India has undertaken several measures to improve accessibility for Divyangjans (persons with disabilities) in public transportation systems and infrastructure. Significant progress has been made across airports, railway stations, bus transport systems, and public buildings to ensure inclusivity.
As part of these efforts:
- Airports: Accessibility facilities such as ramps, toilets, and lifts have been provided at all 35 international airports and 55 domestic airports.
- Railways: A total of 709 A1, A, and B category railway stations have been equipped with short-term facilities including ramps, accessible toilets, lifts, helpdesks, designated parking, non-slippery walkways, and drinking water facilities.
- Bus Transport: Over 42,000 buses have been made partially accessible, while 8,695 buses are fully accessible. Additionally, out of 3,533 bus stations, 3,120 stations have been made accessible nationwide.
- Public Buildings: Under the Accessible India Campaign, access audits have been conducted for State/UT government-owned public buildings, leading to financial assistance for making 1,314 buildings accessible. Moreover, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has retrofitted 211 buildings under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and 889 buildings across various government ministries and departments.
Regulatory Measures for Accessibility
Several ministries have implemented key regulatory measures to integrate accessibility features:
- Road Transport & Highways: The Ministry has notified AIS-052 Code for Accessible Bus Body Design, ensuring provisions such as priority seating, space for mobility aids, handrails, and stanchions for persons with disabilities.
- Railways: The Indian Railways has issued guidelines for station accessibility, covering entrance ramps, accessible parking, low-height ticket counters, accessible toilets, drinking water booths, and Braille signage to aid passengers with disabilities.
- Metro/RRTS Systems: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has integrated universal design principles into metro and rapid transit systems, ensuring easy access for disabled individuals, the elderly, and those with temporary mobility challenges.
- PM-eBus Sewa: The government has specified that 100% of the 12m and 9m electric buses deployed under the scheme must feature wheelchair accessibility as per AIS 052 & AIS 153 standards.
Review of the Accessible India Campaign
A third-party evaluation conducted by the National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development highlighted key achievements of the Accessible India Campaign:
- 80.51% of government buildings received funding for retrofitting accessibility features.
- The campaign successfully covered major government buildings across the country.
- A significant positive attitudinal shift was observed among government officials and the general public regarding the rights of persons with disabilities.
The information was provided by Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B.L. Verma, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
