Differently-abled fume over steep ramp at Lower Parel station toilet

Rather than helping disabled people move freely with dignity, the Pay and Use toilet at Lower Parel station has a steep ramp which is impossible for the disabled to climb. In the background of the Swacch Sarvekshan, BMC decided to make the toilet disabled-friendly but the slope of the ramp is too steep. The ramp has a 45-degree slope. 

It’s no secret that Mumbai is not a disabled-friendly city. Most of the residential, commercial or public buildings don’t have disabled friendly access. “BMC officer told us to build a ramp. So we constructed it. There isn’t much place as our toiled is on the roadside,” said Virendra Jha, in charge of Sulab Shouchalay on the east side of Lower Parel railway station. 

Architect Pranav Naik said that a bit of empathy on the part of the builders and organisation makes all the difference. “Ramps should be made with a 1:12 slope, and have an anti-slippery surface, along with a railing that supports wheelchair users, as well as those on crutches, or other accessibility aids,” he said. 

Kiran Khanderao, an activist with the Right to Pee said that the toilet contractor near Natraj Cinema in Chembur puts temporary ramp when someone comes for inspection. “Even a physically fit person can’t climb such steep ramp,” she said, “Not only ramps they put temporary toilets for disabled, children and then use it as a storeroom.” 

A report of NGO Praja Foundation claims that there was just one toilet for the differently-abled for every 835 Mumbaikars in 2018. The report states that 80 per cent of public toilets don’t have ramps.

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Ramps should be made with a 1:12 slope, and have an anti-slippery surface, along with a railing that supports wheelchair users, as well as those on crutches, or other accessibility aids