PANAJI: Four years after Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) unveiled hydraulic wheelchair lifts at the Panaji bus terminus as part of its accessible transport initiative, the equipment remains unused and is now rusting in a corner of the bus stand.
The hydraulic lifts were demonstrated and unveiled on March 17, 2022, with plans to integrate the facility across 145 buses in the KTCL fleet to enable easier access for wheelchair users. However, the initiative has failed to take off.
Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) President Avelino D'Sa said the delay violates long-standing legal obligations to make public transport accessible for persons with disabilities.
"Under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, and now the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, it is mandatory for public places, streets and public transport to be accessible for persons with disabilities," D'Sa said.
He recalled that in 2005-06, a group of law students had approached the High Court over the lack of accessible public transport.
"At that time, Kadamba Transport Corporation gave an undertaking before the High Court that it would introduce five wheelchair-accessible buses," he said.
According to D'Sa, despite KTCL purchasing several new buses over the years, the commitment remained unfulfilled. This prompted disability rights activists to once again approach the High Court around 2020-21.
"We informed the High Court that the undertaking given by Kadamba Transport had still not been implemented. The matter was referred for mediation through the Goa State Legal Services Authority, where KTCL proposed installing hydraulic lifts and making its buses accessible as required under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016," he said.
D'Sa said only one hydraulic lift was eventually installed at the Panaji bus stand.
"Unfortunately, till date, they have only installed a hydraulic lift at the Panaji bus stand. We are shocked to learn that even this facility is not being put to use," he said.
He added that another petition concerning accessible public transport is currently pending before the High Court.
"There is now another petition filed by a person with disability before the High Court regarding accessible buses, not only for wheelchair users but also for persons with visual impairment and other disabilities. Kadamba Transport has to take this matter seriously. The government must also act because crores of rupees are being provided as grants to KTCL. Making public transport accessible is mandatory," D'Sa said.
When questioned, KTCL Chairman Ulhas Tuenkar said he would look into the issue.
"I will check and conduct an inquiry," Tuenkar said.
