Bhubaneswar, Dec. 24: The city administration has identified 10 places to install ramps and tracks for wheelchairs in an effort to provide easy access to persons with disabilities. An amount of Rs 2.3 crore will be spent on this.
The public works department and the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) will execute the work jointly. While the works department will take up the work on the selected buildings, the development authority will do the same at Biju Patnaik Park and Indira Gandhi Park.
Among the buildings where the work will be executed are Rabindra Mandap, Harekrushna Mahtab State Library and Jayadev Bhavan.
"We have a little infrastructure at some places for specially-abled persons. The next move will be to provide them with exclusive infrastructure," said works department chief engineer S.R. Sethi.
The upcoming infrastructure will have separate facilities for people using wheelchairs and crutches. The other categories are for people with hearing and sight impairment. The new national building code, which focuses on green measures, also has special stress on disabled-friendly infrastructure in all projects.
The new code stresses on providing access, which would include planning designated cycle and motor-vehicle parking lots near building's main entrance, accessible path to the entrance, appropriate external lighting, accessible external furniture, suitable drop-off point near the main entrance and easy access to information desks, elevators and toilets.
"I appreciate the move. A large number of disabled persons visit places such as Rabindra Mandap and Rajiv Bhavan to attend events. It is difficult for them to access the buildings in the absence of proper infrastructure," said VSS Nagar resident Jayanta Mohapatra.
Additionally, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation is also in the process of identifying places and buildings to provide hassle-free access to differently-abled people. The civic body has decided to introduce the facilities after consulting with various associations during the smart city challenge sessions last year.
"Our officials conducted a feasibility survey a few months ago and has now come up with a list of places and buildings to provide barrier-free access to people with disabilities. The list will be verified again and finalised after scrutiny. Funds will be sanctioned accordingly and work will begin," said a senior civic body official.