CAG Study Highlights Major Public Transit Barriers for Disabled People in Chennai

Chennai remains significantly behind in accessibility for people with disabilities and senior citizens, according to a report released by the Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) on Thursday.

The report, titled 'Moving Without Barriers: Documenting Mobility Barriers Encountered by People with Disabilities in Chennai', was compiled following a year-long study involving 270 participants. The research incorporated surveys, focus group discussions, and secondary research to evaluate the daily mobility hurdles faced by residents across the city.

According to the findings, while 66 percent of respondents live within one kilometre of a public transport facility, inadequate pedestrian infrastructure prevents them from safely reaching transit points. For those attempting to use buses and suburban trains—the primary transit options for most respondents—independent travel is consistently restricted by missing ramps, high bus steps, wide platform gaps, and an absence of audio-visual announcements.

The report featured accounts from commuters facing these challenges firsthand. Dr Anusuya, a wheelchair user and special educator, reported that many accessibility ramps across the city are unsafe and highlighted issues with public bus services.

"Many bus conductors are not trained to use ramps properly, and sometimes buses don’t even stop at the right place," Dr Anusuya said, adding that bus crew often show reluctance to assist wheelchair users and that passengers frequently mistreat them.

While Chennai Metro received praise for its accessible infrastructure design and trained personnel, respondents noted lingering deficiencies. Issues identified in Metro facilities included slippery flooring, locked restrooms, inconsistent directional signage, and the absence of dedicated fare concessions for persons with disabilities.

To address the widespread accessibility deficits in Chennai's transit network, the CAG report recommended deploying inclusive technologies, establishing accessible transit information systems, offering dedicated navigation tools, and integrating app-based services.