ISBT Kohima still inaccessible to PwDs — Nakhro

KOHIMA — Nagaland’s State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD), Diethono Nakhro has expressed dissatisfaction that despite lapse of many years, the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Kohima still remains inaccessible to people with disabilities (PwDs).

“Obviously we are not happy at all; we are not satisfied because nothing has been done as per the accessibility norms. Just the fact that I cannot even get into the building, there is no ramp that obviously shows that none of the accessibility norms have been followed, none of the accessibility standards,” the state commissioner told media persons on her visit to the ISBT on Friday.

Nakhro said as per the Transport department notification dated February 5, 2019, the state government is required to take suitable measures to provide facilities for PwDs at bus stops, railway stations and airports and access to all modes of transport.

It may be mentioned that in accordance with Section 41 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and full Participation) Act, 1995, the Transport department in the notification, had asked the concerned department/ agencies to provide facilities for PwDs at bus stops, railway stations and airports conforming to the accessibility standards relating to parking spaces, toilets, ticketing counters and ticketing machines.

The department also notified that all public transport vehicles must maintain design standards, including retrofitting all modes of transport, wherever technically feasible, for safety of PwDs, within a three period of three years from the date of publication of the notification.

Further the notification stated that, “No new vehicle meant for public transport must be registered if such vehicle does not conform to the minimum standards to enable persons with disabilities to access and travel comfortably.”

Nakhro pointed out that various government departments have also subsequently issued similar notifications.

The commissioner said her office is making sure what is being done and measures taken to implement the notifications that are coming out from the department itself.

Enough time has been given to the department for action to be taken, steps to be taken, she said and added “it cannot just be on paper and everyone forgets it.”

Nakhro also informed that more inspections will be carried out in other departments, areas and authorities in order to ensure that the laws and provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act are implemented properly in the state.

SCPwD reiterates ‘Accessible India Campaign’

Meanwhile, the SCPwD reiterated that her office will follow the ‘Accessible India Campaign’ which aims to provide accessible physical environment to everyone, be it building, public spaces, transport and information and communication ecosystem accessibility.

Informing that five years have passed for “enforcement” of the rights of persons with disabilities from 2017, Nakhro lamented that despite the given time frame, the state still has a long way to go.

Nakhro maintained that her office will file a report of Friday’s visit and a time frame given to make sure that the department starts the work and ensure implementation of the same. Meanwhile, the SCPwD expressed satisfaction that officials from the Transport department including the Transport Commissioner, Elias T Lotha, were present during the inspection, who also assured to work together with the Disability Commissioner’s office to complete works on priority.