Make Kohima ISBT, all bus terminals accessible: Nagaland PwDS Commissioner recommends

Kohima ISBT lacks basic facilities for PwDs and general population 

Kohima, May 29 (MExN): The Court of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), on May 25, 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 (Guidelines 2021). 

Among other, this entails construction of permanent ramps and railings as per the standards provided under the guidelines as well as providing lifts where necessary. 

It further calls for installing help-desks manned by qualified personnel during all workings days and hours which should cater to PwDs. 

Accessible ticket counters must be provided taking into account height, reach and sight-line requirements to accommodate the physical differences between all users, it provided. 

The Guidelines 2021 also calls for ensuring separate accessible toilet facilities with sufficient space to accommodate assistive devices, non-slip flooring with basic amenities and fixtures such as grab bars, hand rails, safety frames, etc and such toilets should be well maintained with sufficient workforce for housekeeping,

The overall premises, including the boarding areas, as per Guidelines 2021, must be are paved and made accessible and friendly for PwDs while tactile guiding paths should be provided from the parking bays to the terminal building, as well as to various sections inside the terminal building. 

It also provides for ensuring sufficient easy-to-read-and-understand signages and reserving parking space/areas for persons with disabilities. 

The Court of State PwDs Commissioner also recommended the State Government to ensure that free travel facilities are provided to all bonafide PwDs in all NST buses as per a letter from the Department dated 14.07.2022. 

The same must be publicised along with how and where to avail the said passes, it said. 

It further called for construction proper resting areas and lounges within the terminals and sitting areas surrounding the premises. 

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 wth ramps.hydraulic lufts/spaces for placement of wheelchairs, etc, it added. 

Further the State PWD Commissioner said sensitisation workshops must be conducted for all NST staff or personnel to ensure better understating of challenges and needs of PwDs.  

The recommendations were made based on a joint inspection or verification conducted on April 21, 2023 at the ISBT Kohima, Nagaland, with the State Respondents (represented by Secretary NST Department and General Manager, NST) along with their officials, the President of the Nagaland State Disability Forum and members, and representatives from the Press and Media. 

The verification was directed by the State PwDs Commissioner Court on March 29, 2023.

Thereafter, on April 21, the Court observed with “great disappointment” regarding the status of ISBT Kohima. 

Among others, 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 travellers.

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 are 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 while overall they lacked any maintenance whatsoever.

When the “Modified Buses” were inspected, it was observed that  no safety or accessibility standards had been followed. 

Accordingly, the Court observed that taking into account of the ISBT at the State Capital, the condition in the other districts would also be similar in nature, if not worse. 

Hence, the series of joint inspection/verification to be conducted for other districts shall be kept in abeyance till further orders, its said.

Given the above above circumstances, the Court stated 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 and made the recommendations.