Chennai bus stops need 250-mm platforms for disabled: Rights group

Accessibility demand for Chennai bus stops

The Disability Rights Alliance has urged the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and the Greater Chennai Corporation to install 250-mm high platforms at all bus stops across the city. The demand comes after a survey revealed that most bus stops in Chennai remain inaccessible for persons with disabilities, particularly those using wheelchairs or mobility aids.

The alliance argues that the absence of raised platforms forces passengers with disabilities to board buses from road level, risking falls and injuries. Elderly commuters and pregnant women also face similar difficulties, the group noted in its representation to civic authorities.

Current infrastructure gaps

Chennai has over 3,500 bus stops, but less than 10 per cent have proper raised platforms, according to estimates by disability rights activists. Most bus stops are simple concrete slabs or metal shelters at ground level, with no kerb cuts or tactile paving for visually impaired persons.

The alliance pointed out that the standard bus floor height in Chennai is around 350 mm from the road, making a 250-mm platform an ideal intermediate step. This would allow wheelchair users to roll directly onto the bus without requiring a ramp or manual lifting.

Legal obligations under disability law

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates that all public infrastructure be made barrier-free within a specified timeline. The Act requires transport hubs, including bus stops, to have accessible features such as ramps, handrails, and non-slip surfaces.

Despite this, compliance remains poor in Chennai. The Disability Rights Alliance has cited the Act in its petition, warning that continued inaction could invite legal action under the disability rights framework. The group has also demanded that new bus stops be designed with universal access principles from the outset.

What the 250-mm platform means

A 250-mm high platform aligns with the standard step height of low-floor buses used in many Indian cities. It eliminates the need for a steep climb or a separate mobile ramp, making boarding safer and faster. For wheelchair users, it reduces the gap between the platform and the bus floor to under 100 mm, which can be bridged with a simple ramp or a helper.

The alliance has also called for tactile warning strips on the edge of platforms to guide visually impaired commuters. Such features are common in airports and metro stations but rare at bus stops in Chennai.

Response from authorities

The Greater Chennai Corporation has acknowledged receiving the representation but has not announced any timeline for implementation. Officials said that retrofitting existing bus stops with raised platforms would require detailed engineering and coordination with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation.

A senior corporation official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that new bus stops being built under the Smart City Mission already include accessibility features. However, the pace of upgrades across the city remains slow, with only about 200 bus stops having been modified in the last three years.

What happens next: The Disability Rights Alliance has said it will approach the Madras High Court if the civic bodies do not respond with a concrete action plan within three months. The group is also planning a public awareness campaign to highlight the issue.