Research

Metro impact on livability: Reconciling operational DPRs with judicial mandates for inclusive emergency egress in deep underground metro stations

with Prof. Dr. Bandana Jha

Deep stations descending 29 m or more create a lift-dependency paradox: the lift is the only vertical egress available to a passenger with a locomotor disability, yet fire protocol requires lifts to be recalled at the alarm and they fail with primary power. A keyword content analysis of 666 pages of Indian metro Detailed Project Reports finds the terms refuge, fire lift, evacuation lift and assisted evacuation entirely absent. One DPR computes escape capacity over stairs and escalators alone — so its stated clearance time is calculated over a population that excludes lift users. The paper proposes an NBC-derived Accessibility Index and four non-negotiable operational prerequisites.

Evaluation framework of accessibility and other parameters in metro stations with Sustainable Development Goals: A case study approach

with Prof. Dr. Bandana Jha

A case-study framework evaluating metro station accessibility alongside the UN Sustainable Development Goals, published as a book chapter.

Assessing Accessibility and Barriers for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) at Metro Stations: A Case Study Approach

with Nandini B. Sharma, Prof. Dr. Bandana Jha

A three-phase audit of four metro stations across Delhi and Chennai, chosen for contrasting urban contexts — an airport, a residential and commercial area, and others. The study combines an audit checklist with qualitative tools to identify and categorise the physical and communication barriers that stations present to passengers with disabilities.

Navigating the Urban Landscape: A Systematic Literature Review on Inclusive Transportation, Safety, and Equity for Women with Disabilities in India

with Prof. Dr. Bandana Jha

From an architectural standpoint a city is a built environment that either facilitates or restricts movement. For women with disabilities in India the prevailing urban fabric acts as a spatial deterrent to mobility. This review argues the problem must be addressed not merely as a policy gap but as a design failure, and applies Universal Design as the framework for doing so.

Towards Universal Accessibility: A Comparative study of National and Global regulatory frameworks for Inclusive Mass Transit Stations

Despite India's growing mass transit network, a significant gap persists in ensuring inclusive access within stations and depots. This paper examines how regulatory frameworks can be leveraged to create genuinely inclusive transit infrastructure, considering the needs of people with disabilities, senior citizens, expectant mothers, women and young children together rather than separately.

Periodic Accessibility Audits for Emergency Mock Drills at Special School: Case Study Approach

with Prof. Dr. Bandana Jha

A qualitative study of emergency preparedness in Indian special schools, examining the interconnection between accessibility auditing, emergency preparedness and the experiences of children with disabilities. It tests whether children who take part in regular mock drills in familiar school environments develop measurably better coping mechanisms.