HYDERABAD: For the disabled, Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) promises a hassle-free commute. Addressing the media here on Monday, Managing Director of HMR NVS Reddy said they have taken special care to build Metro stations and trains to cater to the needs of people with disability, visual, hearing, speech and cognitive impairment.
Stations are designed to provide a barrier-free environment for physically challenged.
“We will be constructing ramps at the road level for easy movement of wheelchairs.”
Bigger lifts are provided to accommodate and manoeuvre wheelchairs. Height of the operating buttons in lifts, fare gates and ticket vending machines will be designed in such a way to provide an easy access to the physically challenged.
For the convenience of the visually impaired, the lift buttons will have information in Braille. “Also, a tactile strip will be provided at the stations right onto the edge of the platform so that the visually challenged can get into the train on their own with the help of a walking stick,” Reddy explained. The Metro trains will have a grab-hold system to lock the wheelchairs in designated spaces.
Signages are designed with high contrast to help passengers with limited vision and also those with cognitive disabilities.
Meanwhile, on account of the International Day with People with Disabilities on December 3, HMR in collaboration with Disabled Rights Forum is organising an awareness walk on Tuesday at Necklace road at 7 am.
FOR A SMOOTH RIDE