25-05-2025
Better PwD access: 11 govt buildings to get infra upgrade
Panaji:
Govt is spending Rs 3.3 crore to make 11 govt buildings in Pernem, Mapusa, and Bicholim accessible to persons with disabilities (PWDs). The work to install ramps, handrails, and other accessibility features is likely to take four to six months to execute, said officials.
The 11 buildings are part of phase II of govt's Accessible India initiative to make all govt offices accessible to PWDs. Though the deadline was April 2023, govt has quite a few buildings that PWDs find cumbersome to access. Recent efforts include installing ramps and other accessibility features in various buildings. The govt is also conducting accessibility audits of public buildings.
In Pernem, the PWD has identified the electricity board building, govt complex, Pernem civic body building, and police station, with Rs 1 crore allocated for the works.
In Mapusa, another Rs 1 crore will be spent to make the civic body building, Asilo Hospital, and govt complex accessible to all. an amount of Rs 1.3 crore will be spent on the Bicholim civic body building, primary health centre, govt complex, ITI Bicholim.
According to PWD officials, in phase I, 21 buildings were made fully accessible, with another 45 planned for phase II. The drive to make govt buildings accessible comes at a time when Goa's department for empowerment of PwDs has announced an accessibility audit of public buildings, transportation systems, educational institutions, and recreational facilities.
