Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 - Improvement over 1995 Act

 We are not disabled by out physical composition. We are disabled by the public infrastructure that doesn't include us. Disable is the design of those architects, engineers, and constructors that designed those building which don't bear with us.
                        Sociology NCRT- XI

   By passing the Right of Persons With Disabilities Bill ( PWDs) the parliament has adopted a radically transformative piece of legislation that addresses the concerns of arguably the most marginalised section of society. According to 2011s Census India is the  home to 27 million people with disabilities and that's a large underestimation.

About the Bill:

    The new law empowers Persons with disabilities with the right to equality, preservation of dignity, and personal liberty.
PWDs act 2016 has been given special focus on vocational training and self empowerment. Preceding 1995 Act was provided free education till 18 Years and 3% reservation in government employment for persons with disabilities whereas the subsequent act comes with major differences like 4% reservation of seats in government sector and 5% seats in the private entities for employment.

The Significant difference of Persons with disabilities act 2016 was the type of disabilities have been increased to 21 instead of only 7 disabilities recognised in 1995.
Establishment of national and states funds subsuming present fund for PWDs and for empowerment of differently able persons.
Provision of guardianship with the consent of differently able persons.

Interestingly the new act is in conformity with United Nations Convention on Persons with Disabilities to which India is signatory.

   The disability sector has been waiting for this law patiently for the last two decades. It's the time to implement the new Persons with disabilities act 2016.

 This new law will ensure enjoyment of rights by PWDs on an equal basis with non disabled citizens of India. The new law would be a game changer if above mentioned concerns are implemented.

POD TAXI - A Game Changer Technology

Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) is a public transport mode that offers Personal on-demand origin to destination travel on a dedicated network. The system features small automated vehicles - Cable car or POD cars equipped to carry a small group of passengers.

The modern PRT concept began around 1953, by Donn Fichter a city transport developer started research on PRT and alternative transit methods.

In 1967, Aramis Project an experimental PRT system was started by MATRA in Paris however the project was cancelled due to its qualification trials. Between 1970 and 1978 Japan operated a project named Computer Controlled Vehicle System (CVS) which operated 84 vehicles at the speeds up to 60 kilometres per hour on a 4.8 kilometre guideway.

  Union minister of Road Transport and highways Mr. Nitin Gadkari said the work on pilot project of Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) - proposed POD taxi between Rajiv Chowk of New Delhi to Gurugram under National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

POD taxi is a dream project of our Union minister Mr. Gadkari which estimated cost around Rs. 4000 crore.
This project is headed by SK Dharmadhikari with five members in the committee to maintain safety standards and and technological support. The POD taxi will follow the American standards of safety laid down by American society of civil engineers.

What is POD TAXI and its Features 

  POD taxi is a high speed, driverless, electric vehicle which runs through dedicated platform. POD taxi is a unique way for travel to provide a taxi like responsive feeder and shuttle services for small groups of travellers.
    PODs can carry up to  5 passengers at a time.
    Its a fully automated, driverless vehicle that travel independently over an overhead network which is usually about 5-10 metres above the ground, ergo we can easily say it's a "Mini Metro"
    PODs are equipped with military grade wireless technology and sensors which are monitored at a command base and on the ground for extra security and safety.
   The PODs are not affected by the adverse weather conditions.

For sustainable future POD taxi will be a game changer technology to reduce traffic as well as pollution. Being an inexpensive, sustainable, profitable, quickly implementable in difficult situation, high capacity, extremely comfortable and more over eco friendly this transit model has a bright prospect not only in National capital region or throughout India but also globally as it has relevance in every urban context in every continent.