The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will develop disabled-friendly facilities at seven sites in Tamil Nadu, including the Sri Kailasanathar temple in Kancheepuram, Sithanavasal caves, Moovar Koil in Kodambalur near Pudukottai, and the Vellore and Gingee forts.
The facilities to be created include ramps, Braille boards with information about the sights and signage and tactile flooring, as well as disabled-friendly rest rooms.
The seven sites have been identified under the Adarsh Smarak Abhiyan, which seeks to develop monuments into ‘Model Monuments’, A.M.V. Subramanyam, superintending archaeologist, told The Hindu . “Permission has already been obtained for monuments at Mamallapuram and the Sri Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur under this scheme,” he said.
Sithanavasal caves
As part of the scheme, the ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, initially identified 25 ancient sites that had high tourist footfall for development. All necessary tourist facilities, including wi-fi, security, signage, encroachment-free areas, interpretation centres showing short films about the importance of the monuments and signboards of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan were to be installed at these monuments. Later, 75 more monuments were added to the list.
At Mamallapuram, work to make the Pancha Rathas disabled-friendly is to be taken up shortly. The rathas are monolithic temples from the Pallava era that resemble the processional chariots of a temple.
“At places where the monuments are at ground level, we have provided for ramps and other access features. But for monuments that are at a higher level, such as the Gingee Fort, where the Sri Ranganathar temple is situated, it will not be possible to provide access as it is atop the hill. However, wherever possible, we will create access,” said Mr. Subramanyam.
Travel services that organise holidays and trips for persons with disabilities said that while accessibility still remains an issue, things are changing.
Founder of Delhi-based Planet Abled Neha Arora, said many heritage sites now had facilities for the disabled. “Two years ago, Qutb Minar had a rest-room for the disabled but it was kept locked and it took me two trips and a lot of fuss to get the key. Now, however, it is kept unlocked and can be used any time. The more persons with disabilities travel, the more facilities will come up,” she said.
Debolin Sen, head, Enable Travel, which is powered by travel company Cox & Kings, said many monuments and palaces in the country were now accessible. Some States, including Kerala and Goa, were fairly accessible now, he added.
No alterations
While providing such facilities the ASI cannot alter the structure in any way or make permanent additions as per regulations, said a retired ASI official. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department that manages over 38,000 temples in Tamil Nadu also has similar rules. The department has provided wheelchairs at all major temples and battery-operated cars at 16 temples for use by senior citizens and persons with disabilities. “We have instructed temples where crowds gather to ensure that wheelchairs are available,” said an official source at the Department.
As per the 2011 Census, India has 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, which is 2.21% of the population. In Tamil Nadu, as per the Census, there are 11.79 lakh persons with disabilities.
