In a novel gesture, the Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a long-term strategy to develop all urban pockets in a disabled-friendly manner. To start with, the new civil structures comprising easy slopes with handrails and ramps have been erected at the Charbagh Railway Station and in the posh Hazratganj market. Auditory signals along with traffic lights will soon be in place at the main crossings in Lucknow, to facilitate movements for the visually impaired people.

These implementations have been followed after an extensive city survey by a team of senior officers including the state Handicapped Welfare Secretary, Rohit Nandan and Municipal Commissioner, Alok Kumar. The team took first-hand account of the barriers, obstructing free movement of disabled people in the market and other important areas in the state capital.

Nandan said, “Firstly Hazaratganj would be developed as the disabled-friendly area followed by other markets and public places of the city. Later, all major cities of the state would be developed on similar lines.”

Cinema halls and multiplexes, shops, zoo, museums etc., have been directed to alter their structures to include barrier-free features for the disabled. Some shops have already made changes to this effect.

Welcoming the concept, Indian Association of the Handicapped President Mridu Goel said it was a good beginning. “Starting from Lucknow, all major cities could become disabled-friendly.”