CHENNAI: The deadline to make the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) in Kilambakkam accessible for disabled people ended in mid-January, but the work in this regard is still not over. Fact-checking by activists earlier this week found that only a small aspect of the work had been started. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) had issued three tenders worth Rs 1 crore each to make the facility disabled-friendly.
After visiting the terminus last September, members of the Disability Rights Alliance (DRA) submitted a report of required works and retrofits. Due to the silence and inaction of the officials, it was only after a PIL that the CMDA called tenders and set a deadline of two months for the works.
DRA team member Sudha Ramamurthy said she found that the retrofitting of tactile guidance and warning surface indicators was incomplete, making it inconsistent for the visually impaired to navigate. This problem was found on the routes of lifts and stairs.
Observations made by DRA workers revealed, “There are errors in logic with tactile guidance for toilets ending before the dustbin and lifts without buttons.”
Similarly, due to improper scoring and embedding, retrofitted tiles are slightly raised at the corners, creating slight differences in floor level. Apart from this, the work of ramps and stairs has not started yet. The long entry ramps 1 and 2 still lack landings, rain shelters, thermal-coated railings and floor markings. The curved side entry ramp is too steep for unassisted wheelchair users.
Counters must assume double height. A follow-up report received by TNIE said there is now only one counter, and staff have no tactile guidance for it.
2000 private buses fined for charging more fare from passengers
The state transport department has fined 1,892 private buses for overcharging passengers during Pongal from January 10 to 21. After inspection, the team imposed a fine of Rs 36,55,414. The department has also asked 1,000 private buses registered in AP and Nagaland to obtain proper documents before March 31.
