Divyang: Journalist Deepak Kaitke Urges Full Fare Exemption for Differently-Abled Commuters on Mumbai Metro

Mumbai: Senior journalist and well-known “Patrakar Rugnamitra” (Journalist Health Activist) Deepak Kaitke has urged the Maharashtra Government to grant complete fare exemption for differently-abled passengers travelling on the Mumbai Metro.

Kaitke addressed his appeal to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, as well as the Mumbai Metro administration, suggesting a model similar to that already implemented for women passengers on State Transport (ST) buses — where women receive a 50% fare concession, and the remaining amount is reimbursed by the government to the corporation.

In his representation, Kaitke noted that Mumbai Metro stations and trains are not yet fully accessible or disabled-friendly, forcing many differently-abled commuters to depend on others for assistance.

“Considering these challenges, granting full fare exemption to differently-abled passengers would not only serve the cause of social justice but also uphold human responsibility,” he stated.

He further clarified that if the government reimburses the Metro administration — just as it does for the ST Corporation’s women concession — the scheme can be implemented without financial strain.
Such a concession, Kaitke said, should be viewed as “respectful support, not charity.”

United Nations Resolution on Disability Welfare

Kaitke also drew attention to a United Nations resolution, which recommends that national and state governments allocate at least 5% of their total annual budget toward welfare schemes for persons with disabilities. He argued that the proposed Metro fare reimbursement could easily be financed from this existing allocation:

“If the government uses the funds already earmarked under the UN guideline for disability welfare, there will be no additional burden on the state treasury, nor will a separate provision be required,” he emphasised.

Deepak Kaitke has been consistently advocating at the government level for the right of differently-abled citizens to travel with dignity and ease. His latest appeal has drawn strong support from social organisations and citizens alike, who have urged the state government to take a positive decision at the earliest.