A citizen audit of more than 120 public parks in Bengaluru has found that only 34.8% allow wheelchair users to enter without encountering barriers, exposing significant gaps in the city’s public-space infrastructure. The findings were released with the launch of the Bengaluru Parks Observatory, an interactive accessibility dashboard developed by Bengaluru-based law firm and policy think tank Pacta.
Volunteers assessed parks across the city between June and July using a common checklist covering entrances, pathways, signage, play areas, maintenance, facilities and park operations. Each submission was geotagged and mapped to the respective municipal corporation. Pacta said the dashboard is intended to create an updated record of accessibility across Bengaluru’s parks rather than serve as a one-time assessment.
The audit found that only 36.2% of the parks had ramps at their entrances, while 46.4% had step-free main entrances. Overall, just 34.8% allowed wheelchair users to enter without encountering a barrier. Pathways performed better: 62.3% of the audited parks had surfaces smooth enough for independent wheelchair use, and around 71% were free of obstructions such as parked vehicles, vendors and debris.
Basic facilities were considerably less available. Toilets were present in only 29.5% of the parks surveyed, and 61% of those toilets were accessible. Handwashing facilities were found in just 5.4% of parks, while drinking water was available in 10.9%. Although 81.9% of parks had signage at their entrances, only 10.6% had a park map to help visitors navigate the premises.
Play equipment was available in 73.2% of the parks. Of those parks, 75.5% had equipment that could be used, at least partially, by people across different ability levels. The findings cover multiple components of park access, including the ability to enter, move through the premises, use toilets and water facilities, and participate in recreational activities.
The audit comes against the requirements of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which requires public authorities to ensure accessibility in public spaces. The dashboard was launched at a multi-stakeholder meeting at the Indian Heritage Academy in Koramangala, attended by civic-tech groups, urban planners, disability-rights organisations, corporates, academic institutions, parents, media representatives and persons with disabilities.
Pacta founder Nivedita Krishna said the audit provided the city with a starting point to identify gaps and improve access to shared public spaces. “Accessibility is really about whether anyone can step out of their home and use the shared spaces of their city with ease and dignity,” she said.
Pacta has invited citizens and volunteers, including persons with disabilities, to continue auditing parks and submitting findings to the observatory. The organisation said the continuing submissions would help maintain a current picture of accessibility across Bengaluru’s public parks.
