Pune Faces Growing Accessibility Crisis for Disabled
In Pune, navigating the city’s streets has become a daily struggle for people with disabilities (PwDs), a situation worsened by the city’s inadequate infrastructure. A new survey, conducted by the Ekansh Trust and students from BKPS College of Architecture, sheds light on the severe challenges that PwDs face across the city’s key roads. The findings highlight how broken footpaths, blocked pavements, and lack of essential features for accessibility make it almost impossible for people with mobility challenges to navigate urban spaces safely.
The survey focused on five of Pune’s most trafficked routes: Fergusson College (FC) Road, Tilak Road, Swargate Chowk, Camp’s MG Road, and the approach to Pune railway station. These areas were assessed for their accessibility for the differently abled, focusing on key infrastructure such as footpaths, pedestrian crossings, and the availability of tactile tiles for the visually impaired. Walking through the city is a daunting task for anyone with a disability, as the streets are filled with obstacles like uneven pavements, random debris, and poorly designed bollards. However, these challenges are exacerbated for those who rely on wheelchairs, crutches, or guide sticks. A visually impaired individual is left in a constant state of uncertainty, not knowing whether a hawker or street vendor may be blocking the way. “I have had near-escapes while walking in the area,” said a social worker and teacher, speaking about the constant hazards. “The footpaths are not only uneven but are often interrupted by cables, construction debris, or unexpected obstructions.”
The findings reflect a systemic issue, where pavements are often discontinuous or non-existent, leaving individuals with disabilities to take risky routes on busy roads. “Public transport is out of the question. I have to think ten times before stepping out for any errand,” said an IT professional. These personal accounts are all too common and reflect the growing concern over the city’s neglect of accessible infrastructure.
What is perhaps most alarming is the inadequacy of tactile tiles – a necessary aid for visually impaired individuals. According to the survey, these tactile markers are frequently worn down or abruptly end, leaving people stranded and disoriented. For instance, tactile tiles often stop right at encroachments or trees, offering no guidance as to where to go next. This lack of continuity makes navigation almost impossible for visually impaired individuals. One of the students involved in the survey shared their experience of trying to navigate the city in a wheelchair. “I realised how much the streets do not cater to PwDs. I had never noticed this before,” they admitted.
Pune’s civic apathy is also visible in the state of footbridges and public spaces. Despite the presence of footbridges in some areas, they fail to provide accessible features such as lifts for people with mobility challenges. Without these basic facilities, disabled people are left with no choice but to cross busy roads, risking their lives. “I have to think twice before going to any public area. If there is a functional lift, I feel like I’ve won a lottery,” one insurance company employee commented. Moreover, debris and construction waste often clog the footpaths, creating further hazards. Swargate, in particular, was flagged as a problem area, with construction materials spilling onto the already damaged pavements. “The footpaths are either non-existent or so blocked with debris that it’s impossible to navigate,” said one of the students who participated in the survey.
The survey, which was conducted between May and June of this year, also called attention to the need for better urban planning that adheres to universal design principles. The students, who navigated the streets either in a wheelchair or blindfolded, were shocked by the lack of thoughtful design to accommodate the needs of the differently abled. “Undulations are common across all stretches,” said another student. “At MG Road, the footpaths widen suddenly and then narrow, creating confusion. There’s a clear lack of adherence to the design guidelines. As the survey concludes, it highlights the urgent need for Pune’s local authorities to overhaul the city’s infrastructure to make it accessible for all citizens, regardless of their physical abilities. Accessibility should no longer be an afterthought in urban planning. Experts agree that practical interventions, such as continuous and well-maintained footpaths, well-marked tactile tiles, and accessible public transport, are key to creating a more inclusive city. Only then can Pune truly claim to be a city that caters to all its residents, irrespective of their abilities.
Pune Faces Growing Accessibility Crisis for Disabled
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