Accessible India: States move, list work in 50 cities

NEW DELHI: Work on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet initiative Accessible India campaign is making good progress, social justice and empowerment minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot has said.

Speaking to reporters minister Gehlot said, “The work has started under the programme. In the next six months you will see good progress. We have initiated it from Maharashtra. Even in other states we would soon begin audit of buildings to be made disabled friendly.”

Gehlot said states had sent lists of buildings in 50 cities which would be retrofitted with lifts and ramps to make them accessible.

Following an ET news report, the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities has received lists of buildings to be made disabled-friendly from states including Gujarat , Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The department has said it has been able to empanel 18 access auditors to audit buildings in 50 cities. In order to create capacity for access audit the department has tied up with the urban development ministry and educational institutes.