Kohima: Disability rights advocate and former State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Diethono Nakhro, has urged the Nagaland government to ensure that all buses procured under the Nagaland State Transport (NST) fleet expansion initiative are fully accessible to persons with disabilities and compliant with national accessibility laws and standards.
In a representation submitted to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on May 19, Nakhro welcomed the state government's recent agreement with Tata Motors for the procurement of 43 new buses for NST, describing it as a "welcome and much-needed step" towards improving public transport services in Nagaland.
However, Nakhro stressed that the initiative must also prioritise accessibility and universal design in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India, 2021.
"Accessibility in public transport is not a matter of welfare or convenience, but a legal obligation and a fundamental requirement for ensuring equal participation and independent mobility for persons with disabilities, elderly persons, and others with mobility challenges," the representation stated.
Nakhro cited the landmark Supreme Court judgment in Rajive Raturi vs Union of India delivered in December 2017, in which the apex court held that Section 41 of the Disabilities Act mandates comprehensive accessibility in all modes of transport, including bus services. The court had directed governments across India to ensure that public transport carriers become fully accessible.
The representation also referred to a February 5, 2019 notification issued by Nagaland's Transport Department under the RPwD Act, which directed that all public transport vehicles conform to accessibility standards. The notification had further specified that no new public transport vehicle should be registered unless it met minimum standards enabling persons with disabilities to travel comfortably.
According to the representation, the Harmonised Guidelines 2021 prescribe several mandatory accessibility features for buses, including low-floor entry with a maximum height of 400 mm, wider doors, handrails, footlights, hydraulic lifts or foldable ramps, designated wheelchair spaces, accessible buzzers with Braille markings, and visual route information displays both inside and outside buses.
Nakhro also pointed out that in suo motu proceedings before the SCPD Court in 2024, the Nagaland State Transport Department had been directed to implement the Harmonised Guidelines and ensure accessibility compliance in all newly procured buses.
Addressing a commonly cited concern, the representation acknowledged that officials often argue that low-floor accessible buses may not be suitable for Nagaland's rugged and hilly terrain. However, Nakhro asserted that geographical challenges could not be used as grounds to deny persons with disabilities access to public transport.
"Difficult terrain cannot become a justification for exclusion or denial of the right to accessible public transport," the representation stated, while urging the government to explore alternative accessibility solutions wherever standard low-floor buses may not be feasible.
The representation called on the government to ensure that all 43 buses comply with the RPwD Act and the Harmonised Guidelines. It also urged authorities to incorporate ramps or lifts, wheelchair spaces, tactile and visual information systems, and accessibility inspections before the buses are inducted into service. Additionally, Nakhro requested that persons with disabilities and accessibility experts be consulted prior to the finalisation and delivery of the buses.
Describing the NST fleet expansion as a "historic opportunity", Nakhro said the initiative could help Nagaland move towards a more inclusive and accessible public transport system that respects the dignity and rights of all citizens.
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