Disabled passengers rejoice at CPEC's Metro Train
by Yasir Habib Khan
LAHORE, Dec. 7 (Gwadar Pro) – Roshan Khan is a visually-impaired person, but he is very happy because his eyesight disability is, now, no more impediment in his independent traveling. He got his ride on public transport from Darogawala and disembarked on Ali Town without any human support. This assistance-free commutation becomes possible due to the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT), Lahore, the first mass transit rail project completed and launched under CPEC, already a source of socio-economic fortunes for the people of Pakistan.
He does not have eyes to see the majestic outlook of the metro train, but he can easily feel its life-changing impacts on the communities of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Talking to Gwadar Pro, he said that he dreamt of an accessible society that offers a free approach to public transport. "Metro Train Lahore has materialized the dream unimagined few days back," he stated.
"Despite visually-challenged person, I wanted my fundamental right to inclusive transportation facilities. Technically, the right is enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan, but its provision was dysfunctional. On October 26, it has come out of its inactiveness. Frankly speaking, credit goes to CPEC's metro train, another manifestation of bonanza bestowed by China, a good friend of Pakistan," he spelled out. He appreciated the bumpy strips that mark the edge of Metro's platforms for those who can't see.
It merits to mention here that the Orange Line Metro Train is the first public transport equipped with basic accessibility facilities for blind and mobility-challenged people. Other public transport areas, especially Lahore Railway Station, Meto Bus, and private bus terminals are yet to be made PWDs-friendly.
Days back on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disability was celebrated around the globe. Pakistan also marked the day. But this time, a sense of immerse pride prevailed. The reason is the Orange Line Metro Train, one of the best public-centric project, especially for differently-abled people. "By action, Pakistan has promoted an understanding of disability issues and mobilized support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, ensuring freely accessible transport facilities to them," said Hamayat Ali, an official of Punjab Persons with Disability, NGO.
The metro train also helped Punjab fulfill its commitment to mainstream PWDs as the government passed legislation on January 10, 2020, which is aligned with sustainable development goals and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Act outlaws discrimination based on disability and calls for equal treatment of all. It says that freedom of movement will be ensured for everyone and an environment will be created so that persons with disabilities can live with freedom, self-control, choice and self-determination in everyday life.
This Act is the hope for millions of persons with disabilities in Pakistan, and now a big challenge is the implementation of the Act. Metro train's accessibility facility to PWDs is indeed the first manifestation of enforcement of The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2020.
Muhammad Ozair Shah, GM Operations of Punjab Masstransit Authority (PMA), said that this happened the first time that using embossed surfaces on pedestrianized pathways, mobility-challenged passengers had been enjoying commutation facilities on metro train independently.
"From the beginning, in theoretical designs and practical designs, the accessibility and mobility of PWDs had been given the main priority. Since the day it is available for public on October 26, specially-installed infrastructure is facilitating disabled people, allowing them to bask in the freedom of movement," he added.
The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3.
The UN estimates that between 6% and 10% of people in developing countries experience a disability – equivalent to some 400 million people worldwide. In developing countries, disabled people are more likely to be among the poor, as excluded from economic, education and health care opportunities, since difficulties in traveling around often prevent disabled people from breaking out of poverty. This applies to people who experience any range of physical, sensory, psycho-social, neurological, medical or intellectual impairments included in the UN definition. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and its Optional Protocol, signed in May 2007, recognizes that obstacles and barriers to indoor and outdoor facilities should be removed to ensure equal access for all members of society, including people with disabilities.
