Pune: 30 Police Stations to Become Senior Citizen- and Disabled-Friendly with New Ramps

Moving towards inclusivity, 30 police stations in Pune will soon become senior citizen- and disabled-friendly. The initiative, led by RampMyCity, a Bangalore-based accessibility startup, involves the installation of metal and aluminium ramps at all 30 police stations under the city commissioner. This step aims to provide barrier-free access for wheelchair users and senior citizens, who have long faced challenges due to the lack of ramps at most police stations.

The project has been sanctioned by Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and is being implemented under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme. Additional Commissioner (Admin) Arvind Chawariya has directed all police station in-charges to cooperate with the ramp service provider to ensure smooth installation.

Rafique Khan, President of the Disabled Persons’ Association, praised the initiative, calling it a crucial step towards making government buildings accessible to the physically challenged. He emphasized that while ramps are mandatory in government buildings, many officials have overlooked this requirement.

The initiative aligns with the Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 (SIPDA), which mandates barrier-free access in government buildings. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) have repeatedly urged state governments and union territories to enforce accessibility standards, including ramps, lifts, railings, and adapted toilets.

This development marks a significant stride in ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all citizens, in line with the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995.