Disabled-friendly tag for three cities, but work remains
AFTER ASSESSING THE WORK DONE IN THE CITY-HEADQUARTERS OF INDORE, JHALAWAR AND KANNUR, DIFFERENTLYABLED SAY A LOT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE
INDORE/ JHALAWAR/ KANNUR: On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, the Centre will declare Indore, Jhalawar and Kannur as disabled-friendly districts. After assessing the work done in the three city-headquarters of the districts, differently-abled persons say a lot more needs to be done.
INDORE
HT accompanied Divyanshu Jain, 27, who uses a crutch, for a reality check.
At the railway station, ramps have been constructed on some platforms. “The ramp constructed under Rajkumar bridge is very far. Also, there is no way to move between platforms 2 and 3. Most of the times, I end up taking the stairs. For people who are not able to walk even a bit, it’s a problem,” said Jain, a sales professional.
The inter-state bus stand at Sarwate had wheelchairs, but no ramp or designated spots for sitting. Jain noted the absence of charts in Braille and facilities for announcing bus timings. “This is a very difficult spot for the visually impaired. There are no designated pathways for them to walk. It cannot be termed barrier-free,” he said.
JHALAWAR
Polio-affected Kesri Lal Bairwa, 40, a ration shop dealer, said he used to face difficulty climbing the stairs of Atal Seva Kendra, but construction of ramps and railings had made access easier.
Other government buildings with ramps and railings at entrances include the minisecretariat and hospitals.
Jhalawar collector Dr Jitendra Kumar Soni said ramps and railing facilities had been made mandatory in all new government buildings. He added that around 2,000 ramps and railings had been constructed.
Abdul Majeed Khan, 50, whose right leg has been amputated, said many offices and banks still lacked a barrier-free environment.
Soni said some old buildings had limited space and posed practical problems in easing access. “We are planning to start kiosks for the differentlyabled on the ground floor of such buildings by January 26 next year.”
KANNUR
North Kerala’s Kannur was declared the country’s first disabled-friendly district earlier this year under a project named ‘Barrier-Free Kannur’. The project, launched in 2015, saw 1,842 public institutions acquire a barrier-free environment.
K Raghu, an upper division clerk at the collectorate who has stunted growth, feels the difference. “I had to struggle to reach office and used to remain there till evening fearing exhaustion. Now, with the new lift and other facilities, I come down for lunch easily.”