Aviation: This airport gears up to provide barrier-free transit for passengers

In order to provide barrier-free transit to `Passengers with Reduced Mobility`, the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI) in Kolkata has begun the process of upgrading the infrastructure and facilities. The decision to this effect has been taken to comply with Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, with the chalking out of extensive upgradation programme, said an IANS report, citing Airport Director Kaushik Bhattacharjee. Notably, the new law has replaced the earlier act, enacted in 1995. 

According to an official statement, "The facilities will be upgraded to meet the requirement of three major categories of PRM i.e. locomotive disability, visual impairment and hearing & speech impairment. All agencies should work together to remove the four barriers, namely physical, environmental, organisational and most importantly, attitudinal to eliminate discrimination on the ground of disability so that their dignity is maintained at airport." 

In an official meeting with all the stake-holders, it has reportedly been decided that infrastructural development work will be taken up in phases.

Bhattacharjee further stated that the schedule of upgradation will be finalised after receiving inputs from the airlines, concessionaires and other stakeholders.

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The statement further said, "Right from parking spaces and ramps on city side kerb to the boarding point, including, ticketing and check-in counters, corridors, eateries, railings, rest rooms, guiding and warning tactile tiles and signage etc. will be reviewed and modified, wherever required. Similar facilities will be provided on arrival too."