First in North India: Chandigarh railway station set to become visually-impaired friendly - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

First in North India: Chandigarh railway station set to become visually-impaired friendly

Hindustan Times, Chandigarh | ByRachna Verma, Chandigarh
Nov 01, 2019 02:18 PM IST

Under the project, a tactile map, platform indicators, train itinerary signs, and other general signages in braille will be installed.

City’s railway station is set to become the first visually-impaired friendly railway station in North India and fourth in the country.

The project will tentatively start from November 20 and will be completed within three months.(HT FILE)
The project will tentatively start from November 20 and will be completed within three months.(HT FILE)

Bengaluru-based non-government organisation (NGO), Anuprayas, and Northern Railways are heading the project that will tentatively start from November 20 and will be completed within three months.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Confirming the same, an official spokesperson from the Indian Railways said the Indian Railway Station Development Corporation (IRSDC) is currently looking to manage facilities at the Chandigarh railway station. “With this, the Indian Railways has added another feather to its cap,” he said.

 ABOUT THE PROJECT

Explaining the project, the Chandigarh-based founder member of the NGO, Pancham Cajla, said under the project, in a tactile map, platform indicators, train itinerary signs, and other general signages in braille will be installed.

He explained that the tactile map is a blueprint of the physical layout of the railway station–the distance and location of the entrance, platforms, counters and washrooms are scripted on embossed paper.

“Meanwhile, platform indicators and train itinerary signs in braille will guide the visually-impaired passengers towards their respective platforms and help them read schedules of trains they are due to board,” he said.

“However, these signboards are fixed and do not provide real time information as in the case of electronic boards,” he added.

He further said there will be signs in braille leading to the washrooms, waiting rooms, and shops with the station premises.

A visually-impaired professor at a city-based government college, Murali Manohar, said, “ Travelling independently has always been a problem for the visually-impaired as they need to be escorted by someone at all times. But this project will facilitate and encourage such people to travel independently.”

He emphasised that facilities for the visually-impaired should be made available in all stations and bus stations across India.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On