Kohima, 28 May (MTNews): The Court of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) has strongly recommended the Government of Nagaland to renovate the present Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT), Kohima as well as all other bus terminals within the State by providing the basic facilities in consonance with the ‘Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India 2021’. (Details in inset)
Recommendations as per Harmonized Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India 2021:
a) Construct permanent ramps and railings as per the standards provided under the Guidelines. Lifts must be provided where necessary.
b) Install Help-Desks manned by qualified personnel during all workings days and hours which should cater to persons with disabilities.
c) Accessible ticket counters must be provided taking into account height, reach and sight-line requirements to accommodate the physical differences between all users.
d) Ensure that separate Accessible Toilet facilities are provided with sufficient space to accommodate assistive devices, non-slip flooring with basic amenities and fixtures such as grab bars, hand rails, safety frames, etc. Further, the toilets should be well maintained with sufficient manpower for housekeeping
e) Ensure that the overall premises, including the boarding areas, are paved and made accessible and friendly for persons with disabilities. Tactile guiding paths should be provided from the parking bays to the terminal building, as well as to various sections inside the terminal building.
f) Ensure that there is sufficient easy-to-read-and-understand signages and further, reserved parking space/areas for persons with disabilities.
g) Ensure that Free Travel facilities provided to all bonafide persons with disabilities in all NST buses as per the Reply vide Letter No. NST/ESTT/RTI(Pt)/282/2022-23/590A dated 14.07.2022, be publicized along with how and where to avail the said Pass.
h) Construct proper resting areas and lounges within the Terminals and sitting areas surrounding the premises.
i) The State respondents must come up with a solution as to whether to re- modify the existing “modified buses” or to purchase new accessible buses that are already equipped with ramps/hydraulic lifts/spaces for placement of wheelchairs, etc.
j) It must be ensured that all new Bus Terminals under construction are also in compliance with basic accessibility standards as per the Harmonized Guidelines.
k) Further, sensitization workshops must be conducted for all NST staff/personnel to ensure better understanding of the challenges/needs of disabled travelers and how to interact and provide proper support.
The recommendations were made based on a joint inspection / verification conducted on 21 April 2023 at the ISBT Kohima, Nagaland, with the State Respondents along with their officials, the President of the Nagaland State Disability Forum and members, and representatives from the Press and Media. The State Respondents were represented by the Joint Secretary and the Transport Commissioner, Directorate of Motor Vehicles, Nagaland, Kohima. However, it was clarified that, henceforth, General Manager, NST, Nagaland, Dimapur shall be impleaded as Respondent 2 in lieu of the Transport Commissioner.
The verification was directed by the Court of the State Commissioner for PwDs on 29 March, 2023.
During the verification on 21 April, the Court observed that the ISBT Kohima was of “great disappointment.” It was found that there were no ramps connecting the road/compound to the building which made it impossible for PwDs to even enter the Terminal.
A mobile ramp which was provided was not as per the specifications of Guidelines 2021 and this unfortunately, led to the verification meeting to be conducted outside in the compound of the terminal, which was yet again not suitable for PwDs as the entire area, was unpaved and covered with pebbles and stones, the Court said.
The overall premises, including the compound of the ISBT, were in dilapidated conditions while no signage boards were displayed causing confusion for travelers. It further observed that there were no pavements or tactile indicator tiles to guide blind and visually impaired people and the parking spaces were all haphazard with not a single space kept reserved for PwDs. Moreover, all the counters were found to be at a height which would make it impossible for people of short stature or wheelchair users to purchase their tickets with ease. Not a single toilet facility was disabled friendly which is against mandatory rule for all public spaces.
When the “Modified Buses” were inspected, it was observed that no safety or accessibility standards had been followed.
“Taking into account the present infrastructure or the lack of infrastructure of the Bus Terminal at the State Capital, the condition in the other districts would also be similar in nature, if not worse,” the Court observed.
Hence, the series of joint inspection/verification to be conducted for other districts shall be kept in abeyance till further orders, it said.
Given the above circumstances, the Court opined that the State respondents must initiate immediate action to remedy the present scenario faced by PwDs, for which the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was enacted.
It also stated that, being a welfare state, the State Respondents must inculcate a feeling of oneness and include the minority communities in all aspects.
The State Respondents were given 3 months’ time to complete the above directions and thereafter submit an Action Taken Report to the Court on or before 25 August 2023.