Gandhinagar: The state urban development department has issued a govt resolution to create facilities in public parks accessible to persons with disabilities. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the department has rolled out an accessible garden scheme that mandates the creation of sensory-rich, barrier-free gardens across all 17 municipal corporations, complete with wheelchair-friendly pathways, tactile paving and dedicated recreational spaces for people with disabilities.The GR lays down rules for developing ‘accessible sensory gardens’ under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhya Mantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana. The scheme, for which budgetary provision was made in 2023-24, aims to convert existing public gardens and parks into inclusive recreational spaces built on the principles of universal accessibility and inclusive design.Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM) will function as the nodal agency for the scheme. The gardens will be developed on land owned by the civic bodies.State govt has prescribed a range of mandatory accessibility features. These include pathways designed for seamless wheelchair movement, tactile pathways to aid the blind, convenient seating arrangements, and spaces where persons with disabilities can participate in recreational games and activities. The parks will also be equipped with solar-powered lighting and CCTV surveillance.Officials said the initiative seeks to create therapeutic, sensory-rich environments that encourage social interaction and recreation for people with disabilities, while ensuring that public open spaces remain inclusive for all sections of society.“All municipal corporations have been directed to prepare detailed project reports under the scheme and submit them to GUDM,” said an official.
