News

Volume 3 Issue 23 - December 01, 2005

I.T.P.O. says it is helpless with regard to inaccessible pavilions at International Trade Fair

D.N.I.S. News Network- While claiming that the basic infrastructure at the Pragati Maidan was accessible with ramps at most places and disabled-friendly ticket counters and toilets, a senior official with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (I.T.P.O.) has expressed helplessness in forcing individual State Government pavilions to make their displays accessible.

Senior General Manager G. H. Khan stated this in response to a news report that drew attention to hardships being faced by disabled people in the recent India International Trade Fair.

“We have ramps as part of our basic infrastructure, so much so that the Shakuntalam Auditorium too is accessible. Therefore it is wrong to say that we are not aware of the need of access for disabled people,” he said.

“However, we do acknowledge that the pavilions set up by various agencies and particularly State Governments do not strictly adhere to the need for access. So, while one may be able to get to the entrance of the pavilion, thereafter the person may not be able to move,” he added.

Khan promised to stress the demand for better access by writing to the participating bodies.