Issues and Challenges of Persons with Disabilities in the Suburban Rail Mobility Context of Mumbai

Mumbai suburban railway system remains critical to the lifeline of the city. This paper looks at the inclusive and accessible dimensions of the suburban railway system. It intends to reflect upon the key issues involved in making the suburban railway system more inclusive and human centric, especially for persons with disabilities. It is based on a study carried out on over forty (40) suburban rail stations in Mumbai over a period of more than six (06) months. It involves direct and indirect observations, along with qualitative insights through surveys with diverse stakeholders involving persons with disabilities and other allied service professionals. It highlights the broad issues and challenges faced by diverse persons with disabilities in the Mumbai suburban railway system and reviews learnings from the best practice models. Guided by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, it analyses the key accessibility issues in terms of information, infrastructure, and services in the suburban railway system of Mumbai. This includes accessibility perspectives in the digital information systems like Mobile rail applications (like UTS, YATRI app). It brings out specific learnings of the needs of diverse population groups along with disability perspectives rooted in an understanding of demographic impact. It paves a diagnostic way toward mobility infrastructure development specific to the context of Mumbai. This study recommends a holistic framework of understanding suburban railway systems through the lens of inclusivity, incorporating the diverse needs of persons with disabilities and other population groups.