Southern Railway introduces Braille navigation maps for visually imparied travellers at Chennai and Egmore stations

Southern Railways has taken a huge step to make things easier for the visually impared people. To make the railway stations visually impaired-friendly, Braille navigation maps were installed at Chennai and Egmore stations on Monday. The step will help the visually impaired travel on their own.

These maps have been fixed at the entrance of the two railway stations and measure 3X3 ft. It will help visually-impaired passengers to navigate. With the help of the map, they can access ticket counters, toilets, concourse areas, drinking water taps, waiting rooms and cloakrooms. They can also access the foot over bridge with the help of a Braille map.
A statement released by Southern Railway stated that QR codes are provided on the Braille boards/signages. These can be scanned with smartphones that will further activate audio messages. These audio messages will further help the passengers to reach where they want to go on the railway station.

Braille Maps installed at Dr MGR Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore, thanks to Renault Nissan and Standard Chartered for contributing under CSR

The Braille map present an overview of the station facilitating visually impaired to easily navigate and access various facilities pic.twitter.com/yVTQ54HSPb

— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) July 4, 2022

Speaking with IANS Dr. Ramani P. Mathai, who works with the visually impaired, said, "The installation of Braille boards in Chennai and Egmore railways stations is a welcome step by the Railways. The visually impaired will now be able to navigate through the station to reach the platforms where they are headed as well as get directions to reach toilets or to places they intend to travel within the station. A great initiative by the Southern Railway."

Earlier, the railways had laid checkered tiles at the edge of platforms to make travelling safer and secure for visually impaired passengers. Also there are stainless steel handrails in the FOBs for easy movement of blind passengers.

1. What is Braille?
   Braille is a reading and writing system used by people with visual impairment.
2. Can a normal person learn Braille?
   Yes, most sighted people learn Braille.
3. How do you read braille with your fingers?
   People read Braille by moving their fingertips from left to right across the lines of dots.