India gets its first blind-friendly railway station in Mysuru

The country’s first railway station that is blind-friendly is now in Mysuru, Karnataka. A report in The Hindu states that the railway station now has transit maps and train schedules in Braille at various points across the station. 

The maps indicate the layout of the station as well as distances to utilities like toilets, staircases, platforms etc. These maps are on display across the station as well. The station also has platform numbers written on walls in Braille making it easier for visually-challenged people to find their platform. The report adds that even the menu card at the canteen will be available in Braille soon. 

According to the report, a private company has sponsored this project and they are taking inputs from a visually challenged association to implement it. They are looking at roping in NGOs and volunteers as well. 

Non-AC conventional coaches that have been manufactured after 2013 now come with Braille-embedded metal signage on berths, toilets, washrooms, door, etc. The Braille-embedded displays in the station will carry this integration further.