New Delhi, March 17: In a significant move towards making Delhi’s urban infrastructure more inclusive, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has formally written to Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
Expressing deep concern over the challenges faced daily by vulnerable pedestrians, Gupta has urged the installation of ‘audible signals’ at traffic lights in the national capital to ensure the safety of persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
Citing alarming statistics from the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at AIIMS, Gupta highlighted that approximately 6 million people in Delhi suffer from various vision-related issues. Among them, around 1.2 to 1.8 million live with severe low vision, many of whom are elderly.
The Assembly Speaker emphasized that the current traffic system is wholly inadequate for those who cannot rely solely on visual signals. The letter also pointed out that the lack of accessible crossing aids continues to pose a risk of accidents and limits the mobility of a significant portion of the population.
Gupta referenced successful international models where sounds like beeps or ticks have become standard features at intersections. He noted that countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, France, Sweden, Brazil, and Australia have successfully adopted these systems to improve pedestrian accessibility. He particularly mentioned the “melodic” or bird-like sounds used in Japan, which help pedestrians identify when it is safe to cross the road, fostering a more sensitive and user-friendly urban environment.
Vijender Gupta underscored that installing audible signals at major traffic intersections is not merely a technical enhancement but a necessary requirement for human dignity and safety. By implementing these measures, Delhi could significantly reduce road accidents and take steps towards becoming an inclusive “smart city” that caters to the needs of all its residents, regardless of their physical abilities.
In conclusion, the Assembly Speaker has requested the honorable Lieutenant Governor to review this proposal and prioritize its implementation to make Delhi’s roads safe for every citizen.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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