Mon Dec 16 13:34:37 UTC 2024: ## Bengaluru’s Accessible India Campaign Falls Short of Goal
**Bengaluru, December 16, 2024** – Despite a government initiative to make 47 public buildings in Bengaluru accessible to people with disabilities, only 18 have been fully upgraded, according to Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.
The Accessible India Campaign, launched in 2015, allocated ₹27.05 crore between 2018 and 2020 for renovations. While 18 buildings – including government offices, colleges, hospitals, and bus stands – received upgrades such as ramps, handrails, and accessible toilets, work on an additional 27 buildings stalled due to increased construction costs.
Notable sites now featuring improved accessibility include Vikas Soudha, K.C. General Hospital, and Maharani’s College. However, V.S Basavaraju, a former Commissioner of the Disability Commission, criticized the slow progress and substandard implementation. He emphasized the need for a more comprehensive approach, including retrofitting older buildings and improving the quality of accessibility features. He stressed that the campaign must extend beyond government buildings to encompass all public and private spaces. Basavaraju highlighted that while awareness of accessible design is growing, complaints from individuals with disabilities about poor implementation persist. He urged the government to prioritize full compliance with the law mandating accessibility in all public buildings.
First Piper 