In a step towards making urban transport more inclusive, Kochi metro rail limited (KMRL) on Wednesday unveiled Braille-enabled facilities at the Changampuzha metro station.
The initiative, implemented in collaboration with CII-Young Indians under Project Disha, aims to help visually impaired commuters navigate the station independently and with confidence.
KMRL managing director Loknath Behera inaugurated the facilities in the company of CII-Young India representatives and Dr Reem S, a frequent commuter who’s visually impaired.
“It is a wonderful, thoughtful initiative on the part of KMRL,” said Dr Reem S, an assistant professor of English at Maharaja’s College, told TNIE.
“Having the braille script installed at strategic points at the station entrance and exit, and across the terminal, in combination with the already existing tactile paths, makes our [the visually impaired community] mobility smooth and simple,” she highlighted.
Tactile paths, as is the case for any public utility, have been part and parcel of the metro since its very inception in 2017, and, according to the professor, the staff at the terminal is more than accommodating of the special needs of their passengers.
“I always get help, even without asking. But as you know, I, and many others like me, wish not to be a spectacle, a burden to others. Having the braille script induces a sense of independence,” Reem explained.
Furthermore, this initiative normalises impairment in the eyes of the beholder, she said, adding, “At a time when the installation of braille script is starting to get overlooked, KMRL’s act has catapulted its relevance into prominence.”
The station has been equipped with a tactile braille station map that allows users to understand the entire layout of the premises through touch. In addition, braille markings have been installed on handrails to provide continuous wayfinding assistance while moving through the station.
Key facilities are also identified with Braille signboards to ensure better accessibility.
“The integrated system is designed to enable visually impaired passengers to plan their journey on their own, reduce dependence on others for assistance, and move around the station with greater ease and assurance,” a metro official said.
But to ensure that this investment truly benefits the community, Reem also suggested that there be regular announcements in the terminal to notify all passengers of the tactile paths and the braille scripts. “This way, people can take care not to block them,” she said.
And new visually-impaired passengers could also benefit from additional braille scripts to learn the routes this terminal takes, Reem pointed out.
Metro officials have indicated to TNIE that these suggestions will be taken up promptly.
Meanwhile, CII-Young India is mulling extending Project Disha beyond Changampuzha station. “We are in discussions with the metro team about this. The next steps will soon be underway. The ambition is to make this widely-used public mobility system more inclusive,” Mathew Kuruvilla of CII-Young India told TNIE.