Lok Sabha Question No. 1334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Accessibility for Disabled People
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. D Ravi Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1334

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11/02/2025

## ACCESSIBILITY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

## 1334. Dr. D Ravi Kumar:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  significant  gaps  in  the  implementation  of accessibility measures for disabled in public transport systems, such as buses, trains and metro stations, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government  plans to ensure all new  infrastructure projects, including Government buildings and private developments incorporate accessibility features for disabled individuals, if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has conducted research or assessments on the impact of inadequate infrastructure on the daily lives of disabled individuals; and

(d) if so, the details of the steps being taken to address the gaps identified, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI B. L. VERMA)

(a)  to  (b)  The  Government  of  India  has  taken  several  measures  to  promote  the  cause  of accessibility for Divyangjans in different public transportation systems. So far, all 35 International Airports and 55 Domestic Airports have been provided with accessibility facilities like  Ramps,  Toilets  and  Lifts.  709  A1,  A  and  B  categories  of  Railway  Stations  have  been provided  with  many  short-term  facilities  like  Ramps,  Toilets,  Lifts,  Helpdesk,  Parking,  Nonslippery  walkways,  Drinking  Water  facilities).  As  many  as 42,000  and  more  buses  have  been made partially  accessible  and  8695  buses  are  fully  accessible.  Out  of 3533  bus  stations,  3120 have been made accessible across the country.

Under the Accessible India Campaign, Central Government conducted access audit of State/UT Government owned Public Buildings and provided financial assistance to State/UT Governments for making 1314 buildings accessible. In addition, Central Public Works  Department, Government  of  India  has  retrofitted  211  numbers  of  Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs (MoHUA)-owned buildings and 889 buildings of other Departments/ Ministries maintained by CPWD.

To  ensure  incorporation  of  accessibility  features  several  Ministries/Departments  have  taken many measures. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways(MoRTH) vide GSR 287(E) , GSR 367(E)  ,  GSR  959(E)  etc.,  notified  AIS-052-Code   for  accessible  Bus  Body  Design   which contains  special  provisions  for  Disabled  Passengers  such  as  priority  seats  for  persons  with disabilities, seats designated for disabled passengers with appropriate sign(s), priority seats to be provided  with  appropriate  facility  for  securing  crutches,  canes,  walkers  etc.  to  facilitate convenient travel for persons with disabilities with provision of handrails and / or stanchions. GSR 959 (E) mandates the verification provisions regarding accessibility features at the  time  of  fitness  certification.  GSR  240  (E)  notified  the  provision  required  for  Alteration  to Motor Vehicle for conversion into Adapted Vehicle.

Indian Railways has also notified 'Guidelines on accessibility of  Indian Railway  Stations and facilities  at  stations  for  differently  abled  persons  (Divyangjans)  and  passengers  with  reduced mobility' which  has  provisions  of  facilities  for  Divyangjans  and  passengers  with  reduced mobility  such  as  entrance  ramps,  accessible  parking,  low  height  ticket  counter/help  booths, toilets,  drinking  water  booth,  sub-ways/foot  over  bridges  with  ramps/lifts,  standard  signages including Braille signages and tactile pathways for visual impairment, etc.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in the Metro/RRTS projects have designed user-friendly mass  transport  system  which  can  ensure  accessibility  to  persons  with  disabilities,  as  well  as people  with  temporary  mobility  problems  and  the  elderly  persons.  The  design  standards  for Metro/RRTS  facilitates  universal  access  to  Public  Transport  Infrastructure  including  related facilities and services, information, etc. benefitting the people using public transport.

PM-eBus Sewa Tender specifies accessibility features and equipments as per AIS 052 & AIS 153  so  as  to  deploy  100%  12m  &  9m  Buses  with  accessibility  features  including  wheelchair accessibility.

(c)  &  (d)  Yes  Sir,  the  National  Institute  of  Labour  Economics  Research  and  Development conducted  the  review  of  the  implementation  of  Accessible  India  Campaign  as  a  third  party evaluation. Some key findings of this evaluation were:

-  During the study, it was seen that 80.51% of the buildings were funded for retrofitting.
-  The campaign covered major government buildings across the country.
-  A positive attitudinal change was observed amongst government functionaries and general public towards the right of persons with disabilities to safe and easy access to public places due to this campaign.

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