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Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has introduced Braille-enabled navigation facilities at Changampuzha Park metro station to improve accessibility for visually impaired commuters. Implemented with the support of the Confederation of Indian Industry Young Indians under Project Disha, the initiative includes tactile Braille station maps, Braille markings on handrails and Braille signboards identifying key facilities such as lifts, restrooms and exits. The system helps passengers understand the station layout through touch and move independently. Officials said the initiative is aimed at promoting inclusive public transport and enabling visually impaired commuters to travel with greater confidence.
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has introduced Braille-based navigation facilities at the Changampuzha Park metro station in Kochi as part of efforts to improve accessibility for visually impaired passengers using the metro network. The initiative has been implemented under Project Disha in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Young Indians. Advertisement
The new system includes tactile Braille station maps placed at important entry points within the station. These maps allow visually impaired commuters to understand the layout of the station through touch and identify important areas such as entry gates, ticket counters, platforms, lifts, escalators and staircases before moving further inside the station.
Braille markings have also been installed along the station's handrails to provide continuous directional guidance. These tactile indicators help passengers understand directions and locate different sections of the station while walking along corridors or staircases, enabling them to move independently without relying on assistance.
In addition to the tactile maps and handrail indicators, Braille signboards have been placed at several locations across the station. These boards identify essential facilities including restrooms, lifts, emergency exits and other important service points. The markings are designed to make navigation easier for visually impaired passengers while ensuring they can access essential facilities without difficulty.
The facilities were formally inaugurated in the past week by KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera in the presence of representatives from Young Indians and other officials from Kochi Metro. Dr Reem S, a visually impaired commuter and assistant professor at Maharaja's College, also attended the event and conveyed that the initiative would help visually impaired passengers navigate the metro station more easily and independently.
Officials associated with the project explained that the combination of tactile maps, Braille boards and handrail indicators creates a structured navigation system that enables visually impaired commuters to understand their surroundings and move safely through the station. The initiative aims to shift the experience from one where passengers rely on assistance to one where they can travel independently.
Several Kochi Metro officials attended the launch programme, including Director (Systems) Sanjay Kumar, Chief General Manager (Operations) A Manikandan, General Manager (HR) Mini Chhabra and Chief Manager (Marketing) Muralikrishnan. Representatives from CII Young Indians, including Aashika Jain, Deepu Xavier and Mathew Kuruvila, were also present.
Changampuzha Park station is part of the Kochi Metro's first corridor connecting Aluva and Petta, which began operations in 2017. Since its launch, the metro system has gradually added features aimed at improving accessibility, including lifts, escalators, tactile pathways and barrier-free access for passengers with disabilities.
The introduction of Braille-based navigation at the station forms part of Kochi Metro's wider effort to make its infrastructure more inclusive and accessible for all categories of commuters using the public transport system.
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