With the aim to introduce inclusivity in its operations, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has decided to allow transgenders access to separate toilets at its metro stations.
These toilets till now were meant strictly for persons with disability.
According to a Delhi Metro press statement, this new arrangement will not stop the community from using the other toilets. The release specifies that any transgender who wishes to use gender-based toilet as per self-identified gender can also continue to do so.
Currently, there are 347 such separate toilets in Metro stations spread across Delhi and neighbouring areas connected by Metro like Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gurugram.
To ensure that transgender passengers travelling by the Delhi Metro get access to toilets at stations, DMRC has made the provision of allowing them access to separate toilets, which were meant for Divyanjans. To read more about this initiative click here: https://t.co/0IhtiCEazK pic.twitter.com/yWjUAWEg42
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I कृपया मास्क पहनें😷 (@OfficialDMRC) August 29, 2021
A senior official was quoted in the press statement as saying: "In its efforts to provide safe space and prevent gender discrimination against transgenders, Delhi Metro on a priority basis has designated its existing toilets meant only for 'Divyangjans' so far, to be accessible for the transgenders too.”
To facilitate easy access to the transgenders, bilingual signages on these toilets will guide them. These are in two languages, English and Hindi. Also the signages will have symbols for both categories — “Persons with Disability” and “Transgenders”.
The provisions of section 22 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, mandates adequate welfare measures for the transgender persons at all public buildings including public toilet facilities.
Also read: Alisha Patel becomes Gujarat’s first trans-gender to receive ID card
