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In an important move to make public transport more inclusive, the Changampuzha Park Metro station will soon have special navigation aids for visually impaired passengers. These include a new Braille station map and advanced handrail indicators to help them travel more easily and independently. The new facilities will be inaugurated
at 1 pm on Wednesday by Loknath Behera, Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL).
Disha Project Initiative
This initiative is part of Project Disha, a joint effort between KMRL and the Confederation of Indian Industry, Young Indians (Yi). The main aim of the project is to help visually impaired passengers move from depending on others for help to travelling on their own with confidence. Metro officials said that large stations can be difficult to navigate for people with visual impairments. As many people often need constant assistance from others, Project Disha is designed to remove these challenges and make travel smoother and more independent.
Major Developments at Changampuzha Park
The upgrades at Changampuzha Park station include three key features.
• Firstly, Braille station maps will be placed at important entry points. These maps allow passengers to understand the full layout of the station by touch, including ticket counters, platforms, and other areas.
• Secondly, Braille signs will be added to handrails. These will provide continuous directions and help passengers know which floor or platform they are approaching.
• Thirdly, special Braille boards will highlight essential facilities such as lifts, restrooms, and emergency exits.
Officials said that when passengers can clearly understand their surroundings and confirm their location, it boosts their confidence. This project is an important step towards making metro travel more accessible and ensuring that everyone can travel safely, independently, and with dignity.
