Delhi Travel and Tourism Development Corporation to construct accessible traffic crossings

D.N.I.S. News Network - Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (D.T.T.D.C.) has given the go ahead for the installation of two disabled-friendly traffic lights.

These signals will be equipped with an audio beeper and Braille signage for the benefit of road users including the visually impaired.

The first such light is proposed to be installed on Baba Kharak Singh Marg right opposite the old Connaught Place police station building.

This spot, which provides an easy access to the State Emporia Complex and the Delhi Tourism Information Centre from the Hanuman Mandir side, was chosen also because the area is frequented by a large number of disabled people.

The second one is proposed to be set up between All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Safdarjang Hospital on Aurobindo Marg. It will come up at the traffic signal near the staff quarters of the two hospitals.

The National Award for "Promotion of Barrier Free Environment" for making the place barrier free for people with disabilities was given away by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to Delhi Travel and Tourism Development Corporation (D.T.T.D.C.) for making Delhi Haat the first accessible tourist spot in the country.

On the occasion, D.T.T.D.C. Managing Director Ramesh Negi announced that all D.T.T.D.C. constructions like flyovers and sub-ways would be made disabled-friendly. The prize was in recognition of the joint efforts of D.T.T.D.C. and N.G.O. Samarthya, which had worked together on this over the last five years.

The National Awards, constituted by Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, were presented to outstanding people with disabilities in public or private sector.

D.T.T.D.C. and Samarthya jointly organised a Photographic Exhibition titled 'Making of Barrier Free Dilli Haat' at the Delhi Secretariat. Fifty-four photographs, capturing the features which existed in 2001, suggestions made by Samarthya after the Access Audit being implemented, construction process and finally the accessible design features, were on display.