PANAJI: Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira on Monday demanded that the Goa government make the state public transportation accessible to persons of disability and called on the government to bring them in tune with the Personas with Disability Act, 2016.
Quoting section 41 of the disability act, Adv Carlos pointed out that the Act mandates that the government set up facilities for persons with disability at bus stops, railway stations and airports conforming to the accessibility.
“I’m talking about bus stops because you will have to start making (facilities for persons with disabilities) our bus stops are simply bus sheds. Access to all modes of transport that conform to design standing, retrofitting old modes of transport… if some step can be put, make it compulsory for them to put it,” Adv Carlos said.
He pointed out how almost none of the public transport buses in the state including the state run KTC buses do not have doors that double up as wheelchair lifts.
“I’m not saying all buses should have the wheelchair door at the back, nor that they should fit these lifts in the buses, especially the old buses for the wheelchairs but a step so that users do not have problems accessing public transport. The Act is very clear about what needs to be done,” Adv Ferreira who along with colleague Vijai Sardesai had moved the calling attention resolution.
The duo opposition legislators moved a calling attention alleging that there was fear and anxiety in the minds of the people specially the persons with disabilities (PWDs)” and senior citizens who have to access Government buildings and public transport which are not barrier free for such persons.