Auto rickshaws now safer for visually impaired travellers

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar; The Hindu; New Delhi

Auto rickshaws in Delhi will have metal plates bearing the registration numbers in both Braille and embossed form on the sides. The step would enable blind passengers to lodge a complaint if the driver misbehaves or refuses to carry them and will also help friends and relatives track a particular auto.

Besides making the plates in contrasting colours for the benefit of people with low vision, efforts are also on to get audiometers installed in all the electronic fare meters so that visually impaired people can hear both the distance travelled and the fare.

Delhi's Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf has approved both, the number plates (costing Rupees 25 each) as well as the audiometers (Rupees 150 each). Stating that both the All India Confederation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind are ready to provide these plates, Sanjeev Sachdeva of 'Samarthya -- National Centre for Promotion of Barrier Free Environment for Disabled People', a Delhi based N.G.O., said "This move would also send out a clear message that Delhi really cares for disabled (people)."