News

Volume 9 Issue 2 - April 01, 2012

Pimpri Chinchwad B.R.T.S. to be accessible, but not entirely

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: Although it is encouraging to see that the concept of accessibility is slowly reaching smaller cities and towns, there’s still a long long road to go. A case in point is the Pimpri Chinchwad Bus Rapid Transit System (B.R.T.S.) under construction. A report in the Times of India states that the Mumbai – Pune highway stretch in Pimpri Chinchwad will be disabled-friendly. Out of the 34 planned bus stops, 12 will be disabled friendly and out of the 500 buses, 150 will have features such as level boarding or alighting and space for wheelchair docking, said the report.

The report quoted officials of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (P.C.M.C.) on the various accessibility features such as GPS-based voice-enabled passenger information systems, ramp access with tactile blocks, etc.

Question that could be asked is why just 12 bus stops and why only 150 buses? This further underlines the crying need for strong uniform policies on accessible public transport systems which would be followed throughout the country as a standard and the need for thorough training of the implementers down to the last person executing these new constructions and projects.

This also highlights the need for the disability sector leaders, especially the State and local leaders, to be alert and for them to monitor such ongoing projects in their area.