Friday, 23 December 2022 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The executive director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), Arman Ali on Thursday met Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) commissioner Karmendra Singh and submitted a memorandum to him, detailing serious loopholes in accessing tourist spots by PwDs in the State.
In view of the fact that the Accessible India Campaign’s deadline for making government buildings, transport systems, and websites accessible for PwDs ended in June this year, NCPEDP has taken the initiative to review the status of various tourist places of Uttarakhand and measured the accessibility of significant spots in Rishikesh. Ali and his team visited various tourist spots of Rishikesh and Dehradun and apprised Singh of the issues and hurdles regarding the accessibility of these tourist places by PwDs.
“As Uttarakhand is going to host the G20 events in May-June 2023 and representatives of G20 countries will visit the State, it is of major concern to take the issues forward. The theme of India’s G20 presidency is – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – one earth, one family, and one future. We are striving for an inclusive world where no one is left behind,” said Ali.
Singh assured necessary action to address the issues raised. “We are serious about the issues and problems of PwDs. We will make every possible effort to ensure that PwDs have no problem in accessing any tourist spot across Uttarakhand,” he said.
NCPEDP visited Triveni Ghat, Janki Setu, and Ram Jhula. “Although ramps have been constructed at all these places they are not of the prescribed standards. There are malls and shops which have ramps constructed but cannot be accessed without assistance. River rafting, which is a major attraction for tourists in Rishikesh, is not accessible for disabled people,” said Ali, adding that the NCPEDP also highlighted the importance of accessibility in all public places and transport.
