NCRTC Launches Assistive Aids Drive for Differently-Abled Passengers

As part of this initiative, 130 beneficiaries received devices including smart canes, hearing aids, and crutches.

The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) initiated a drive to distribute assistive aids to differently-abled individuals living near the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor.

As part of this initiative, 130 beneficiaries received devices including smart canes, hearing aids, and crutches. A senior NCRTC official stated that further identification of beneficiaries is in progress, and similar drives will be organised in the future.

The assistive devices were selected through a survey conducted by a team of disability experts. These experts considered individual needs to ensure the devices provide effective support. The initiative was conducted in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR).

A statement from the NCRTC highlighted that the distribution of these devices is aimed at improving the mobility, accessibility, and independence of differently-abled individuals. It added that enhanced accessibility would not only improve their quality of life but also create new opportunities for employment and social participation.

Empowerment and Accessibility Efforts

The initiative goes beyond providing aids, as it aligns with NCRTC’s larger objective of making RRTS stations and Namo Bharat train services universally accessible. Improved mobility, coupled with upgraded infrastructure, aims to empower differently-abled individuals to access daily activities, transportation, and workspaces with ease.

“These tools empower individuals to engage fully in economic and social activities, helping them realise their potential,” the NCRTC said in its statement.

Several accessibility upgrades have already been implemented at RRTS stations. Dedicated tactile paths guide visually impaired commuters along the shortest routes to key areas, minimising confusion and enhancing their independence. Spacious lifts have been installed to accommodate wheelchairs and stretchers, catering to both accessibility and emergency medical needs.

Ramps and escalators have been strategically placed to ensure seamless access to concourse and platform levels. Seats in Namo Bharat trains are reserved for women, elderly passengers, and differently-abled individuals, with train attendants present in every coach to assist commuters as needed.

The broader efforts to enhance accessibility, such as tactile paths, specialised lifts, and reserved seating, reflect NCRTC’s ongoing commitment to making public transportation universally accessible. The organisation emphasised that these measures aim to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for all passengers, including the elderly and children.