Govt proposes Braille enabled footpaths, refuge islands on streets

Bengaluru: Karnataka’s new Motor Vehicles Rules 2026 have introduced provisions for Braille-enabled pedestrian infrastructure and non-motorised transport (NMT) zones, signalling a shift towards pedestrian-friendly and accessible streets.While Braille facilities have existed at railway stations, Metro stations and airports for nearly a decade, this is among the first attempts to extend such features to footpaths and pedestrian infrastructure.The amended rules, notified Tuesday, state: “The implementing agency shall provide Braille markings on handrails at the beginning and end of staircases and ramps, wherever such facilities are provided, to indicate floor levels, street names, or relevant location identifiers to assist persons with visual impairments.”The rules also empower authorities to declare non-motorised transport (NMT) zones either permanently or during specific hours depending on pedestrian density, traffic conditions, land use and safety requirements. NMT-only streets — where only emergency vehicles will be allowed — shall have appropriate provisions for universal accessibility, seating, shading, organised vending and bicycle parking, the rules state.Transport secretary NV Prasad said the framework was prepared following Supreme Court directions. “We took the opinion of the home department, urban development department, RDPR and PWD to frame them. Only individual departments will be able to ascertain or explain the viability of these facilities,” Prasad said.The amended rules also propose refuge islands at junctions and roundabouts to improve pedestrian safety, especially for the elderly, children and people with disabilities.The rules describe refuge islands as the “provision of pedestrian refuges and traffic islands on pedestrian routes near junctions or roundabouts, enabling the pedestrian to deal with one lane in a particular direction of traffic at a time and is an effective way to enhance safety for elderly persons, children, and persons with disabilities by reducing exposure time to moving traffic”.The govt has also proposed pedestrian-actuated pelican signals with push-button systems and audible alerts for visually impaired pedestrians and children. “Pedestrian-actuated signals (pelican signals) may be provided at mid-block or other suitable locations on roads with high vehicular volumes, and such signals shall be equipped with push-button activation and audible devices to assist visually impaired pedestrians and children, in accordance with applicable guidelines and standards,” the rules state.