the goan I network
VASCO
While guidelines are already in place that government buildings and government offices should have disabled-friendly access and a reserved disabled-friendly parking slot, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) administrative building lacks a reserved parking slot for the disabled.
What makes the MMC administrative building an important location for people is the fact that besides the municipal office, the building also houses several government offices, including that of Deputy Collector and Mamlatdar.
Though a ramp has been made available as access to the disabled on one side of the MMC building, there is no parking slot reserved for the disabled in front for the ramp.
The space in front of the ramp also has a board indicating that the area is meant only for parking of government vehicles.
The MMC watchmen on duty also refuse to allow disabled people to park in front of the ramp even if the place is unoccupied, adding to the woes of the disabled people arriving and leaving the MMC administrative complex.
Speaking to mediapersons on Thursday, Amancio D’Souza, a disabled visitor to the MMC, said he had frequently requested the MMC to try and reserve a parking slot for the disabled.
“I had even approached the MMC chairperson with a demand to provide a parking slot to the disabled near the MMC and I was informed that space outside the ramp could be used for parking,” said D’Souza.
“I came here today and when I went near the ramp to park my bike, I was driven away saying that the parking is not for the disabled. We cannot afford to park at a distance and come walking to the MMC.”
“Authorities must do something about it. What is the point of having a ramp when there is no parking reserved for us? At least two slots for bikes and one slot for a car should be reserved for the disabled in MMC” D’Souza added.
Social activist Narayan Naik said he had witnessed many disabled people struggling for parking in and around the MMC building.
“This building houses so many offices and it is but natural that this building is frequented visited by many people including disabled. How can authorities force the disabled to park at a distant location and make them walk all the way to MMC?”
“It is because of such difficulties that many disabled people avoid visiting the MMC complex and instead, prefer to send their family members. What happens when a disabled person is required to be physically present at a government office in the MMC complex,” asked Naik.
Will ask RTO to ensure disabled-friendly parking slot: MMC CO
VASCO: Admitting the difficulties faced by the physically disabled at the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) complex in the absence of a disabled-friendly parking slot, MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes said he would work to ensure a parking slot is reserved for the disabled outside the MMC complex.
“I am aware that the physically disabled are facing a lot of hardships. Though the government is promoting an Accessible India, it is sad that my own building is not accessible to physically disabled. I will try my best to do something,” said Fernandes.
“Plans are afoot for renovations in the MMC administrative building, which will include a lift so that senior citizens and disabled don’t face hardships. This plan is pending with the government. Since there is a dedicated ramp near the basement of this building, I will write to authorities and RTO to ensure we have a reserved disabled-friendly parking slot available in the MMC complex. As per guidelines, it is necessary that such a parking slot should be made available,” said Fernandes.
