Fifty feet underground, grey concrete flooring, levels over levels stacked, the mellow roar of trains arriving and leaving, the usual bustle of a metropolitan – all heard and felt at the same time – deafening one’s ears, blinding one’s eyes and numbing one’s sensations. The sight is the heart of the baby project of India’s capital – Rajiv Chowk Metro Station. Amidst the chaotic crowd, easily forgotten sight of a blind man finding his way easily to Café Coffee Day at one of the corners and then to his usual yellow line, a level below; or that of a man on wheelchair being helped to his line without any bumps. Yes, easily forgotten for one doesn’t see them both struggling, confused or scared – but see them as a part of the crowd.
Cutting to the architecture, the tactile plates follow an intelligent system of reading, and have been installed in such a language that not only helps in the direction decision but makes the user understand the aspects of his surroundings too. Use of ramps and lifts with stairs and elevators has obliged the old and people with disabilities. The same level of the train flooring and platform has made a huge difference, making Delhi Metro a path changer. IS THIS THE ULTIMATE?
No, it is but a small step in the Indian transit; a lot needs to be done still. Framing the bigger picture, the Indian Railways - the world’s densest railway system and also the largest employer – provides a poor access to the disabled. Steep and ill maintained ramps, no lifts, poor access to various parts of stations; and the very basic but the biggest problem of the high rise of trains – it is a shameful way to cater to the population but also shows the ample opportunity that can make believe one that universal design in not after all, just a myth.
What if these small yet effective methods could be inculcated in every other railway station of India with the newfound proposals like automated ramps joining the train bed to the platform – a game changer indeed! What if these changes are not limited to just the railways but every other mode of transit in the country; smoothened and automated ramps at every bus stop or this newfound intelligent system of tactile plates on pedestrian walks or travellators for road crossing? The image we get is of a city that is virtually accessible by anyone and everyone, an image that can make any architect smile – the core of universal design achieved.
We do not need to build anything new or grand, just observe and understand what’s around us and exploit it as far as we can. These many small things if inculcated in every other design (the process has been commenced already) will prove to be revolutionary, and make us realise the statement – “take care of the small things…”
Cutting to the architecture, the tactile plates follow an intelligent system of reading, and have been installed in such a language that not only helps in the direction decision but makes the user understand the aspects of his surroundings too. Use of ramps and lifts with stairs and elevators has obliged the old and people with disabilities. The same level of the train flooring and platform has made a huge difference, making Delhi Metro a path changer. IS THIS THE ULTIMATE?
No, it is but a small step in the Indian transit; a lot needs to be done still. Framing the bigger picture, the Indian Railways - the world’s densest railway system and also the largest employer – provides a poor access to the disabled. Steep and ill maintained ramps, no lifts, poor access to various parts of stations; and the very basic but the biggest problem of the high rise of trains – it is a shameful way to cater to the population but also shows the ample opportunity that can make believe one that universal design in not after all, just a myth.
What if these small yet effective methods could be inculcated in every other railway station of India with the newfound proposals like automated ramps joining the train bed to the platform – a game changer indeed! What if these changes are not limited to just the railways but every other mode of transit in the country; smoothened and automated ramps at every bus stop or this newfound intelligent system of tactile plates on pedestrian walks or travellators for road crossing? The image we get is of a city that is virtually accessible by anyone and everyone, an image that can make any architect smile – the core of universal design achieved.
We do not need to build anything new or grand, just observe and understand what’s around us and exploit it as far as we can. These many small things if inculcated in every other design (the process has been commenced already) will prove to be revolutionary, and make us realise the statement – “take care of the small things…”
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