Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified GSR 959 (E) dated 27th December, 2019 for amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules for providing divyang friendly features in buses. The amendment provides for priority seats, signs, securing of crutches/canes/walkers, hand rail/stanchions, controls at priority seats and wheel chair entry/housing/locking arrangement for wheel chair for the divyangjan. Such facilities for differently abled passengers or passengers with reduced mobility will be checked and ensured at the time of Fitness Inspection for Buses.

The amendment shall come into force on 1st March, 2020.

The draft rules to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 were published vide notification number G.S.R 523(E), dated the 24th day of July, 2019, inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby. The notification has been issued after duly considering the objections and suggestions received from public in respect of the said draft rules.

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RCJ/MS