Shillong, Mar 23: The collective organization under Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on Tuesday urged the government of Meghalaya to remove the barriers to accessible transportation of PWDs in the city.

Priska Pyngrope a member of the collective organization of PWDs on speaking to reporters said, “According to a report collected by the organisation, there are 50 PWDs residing in Shillong and adjoining areas of the capital city which has raised their concerns that the roads are small which make it difficult for PWDs to cross from one side to the other, also the footpaths are narrow and there are lots of barriers while travelling on the footpath. Buses and local taxis do not have signage indicating the route which the driver is travelling; therefore, it posts problems to the hard of hearing and deaf people. The report also stated that the PWDs never get a seat while travelling on public buses and have to pay the full rates as other abled person.”

“The organization urges that the government will provide the PWDs with pre-paid taxi services with concession rates, accessible public transport vehicles, assisted rides on public transit, also to provide a special licence for PWD drivers… an accessible parking spaces and accessible footpath for wheelchair users and blind people,” added Pyngrope.

The collective organization including National Center for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People, Barefoot Trust, Meghalaya Deaf Association, Khasi Disabilities Association, Blind Lead Trust and Meghalaya Liberation for Visual Impaired urged the State Government to initiate the process of making transport and mobility accessible with the active involvement of PWDs.