From now onwards, the visually-impaired and the handicapped can travel completely free of cost for any distance as per a scheme introduced by BMC, all they need is a smart card.
This Diwali, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and BEST have given a gift to handicapped commuters in the city.
From now onwards, the visually-impaired and the handicapped can travel completely free of cost for any distance as per a scheme introduced by BMC, all they need is a smart card.
On October 20, Mumbai Mayor Snehal Ambekar inaugurated this scheme and gave 35 blind persons these cards. The people who are visually-impaired beyond 4o per cent or completely blind can register for the card from the nearest BEST depot. The person will have to take the handicap certificate, a photograph and an identity proof. For the card, the person will have to pay a one-time fee of Rs 40. The procedure will take four to seven working days to finish. However, the scheme is not applicable for AC buses.
Several associations have been writing letters to the BMC for the same for over 15 years now. According to Yashwant Patil member of Brihan Maharashtra Apang Sangh, “I have written several letter to BMC since 2000 for making travel free for handicap and blind however, I always got a negative response.”
The BMC has as per the recent budget allotted 3 per cent of expense for the handicapped and blind, of which Rs 1 crore has been invested in this scheme.
“It costs BEST an expense to let people travel for free. The BMC has agreed to pay the difference of it, BEST has already received Rs 10 lakh as an advance,” said Hanumant Gopane, BEST spokesperson.
Suryakant Lade of Siddhivinayak Apang Sangh said, “We had several follow-ups with the Mayor, with her help and constant follow-up, we could get this achievement for our community members.”
“The country will only progress if all the people progress. The people of the handicapped community have felt deprived because after several attempts nothing was being beneficial for them. The community had a couple of demands, one of which was that the BEST bus travel should be made free of cost for them, hence, we conveyed the message to the BMC and the BEST department,” said Snehal Ambekar, Mayor of Mumbai.
Paresh Rambia, who is visually-impaired, said, “It is a brilliant initiative for the people who belong to the lower strata. We often used to face a lot of trouble however, now, with this scheme, it reduces the burden on us.”
“I had to keep traveling in buses every day for my therapy. My therapy cost is so much that affording a bus ticket was also an added expense. I am thankful that I can at least save this money for my therapy,” said Rakesh Sethia who is specially-abled.
How to avail this service
On October 20, Mumbai Mayor Snehal Ambekar gave 35 blind persons smart cards. The people who are visually-impaired beyond 40 per cent or completely blind can register for the card from the nearest BEST depot. The person will have to take the handicap certificate, a photograph and an identity proof. For the card, the person will have to pay a one-time fee of Rs 40. The procedure will take four to seven working days to finish. However, the scheme is not applicable for AC buses.
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