Most public places, govt offices in Bandipora lacking disabled-friendly facilities

Bandipora, Feb 14: Persons with disabilities (PwD) in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district continue to struggle with limited access to essential public spaces, including government offices, hospitals, banks, courts, and schools. Despite official mandates for inclusive infrastructure, accessibility remains an afterthought, leaving many unable to navigate even the most basic facilities with dignity.

Nazir Ahmad, president of the handicapped association Jammu and Kashmir, in Bandipora, expressed frustration over the administration’s failure to address these issues.

“Accessibility should be a priority in every office, whether it’s the DC office, hospital, bank,  court, or schools. These are the places we rely on in our daily lives,” Ahmad said. “Even religious spaces like masjids, eidgahs, and temples should be inclusive, yet they often are not,” he added.

He recounted a specific instance at the DC office, where an elevator  was installed with the help of the current deputy commissioner, after remaining defunct for years, but it became "inoperable within days."

“When I asked why it was shut down, they simply said it is no longer operational. These are just excuses, authorities are not serious in providing us accessibility,” he said.

He said the “Accessible India campaign”  mandates that all government buildings be equipped with features such as ramps, elevators, and disabled-friendly restrooms.

Both the Supreme Court and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have issued clear directives to ensure compliance, yet implementation remains inconsistent, he said.

“To address these gaps, an accessibility audit, Sugamya Yatra 2025, has recently been launched,” Ahmad said.

“Officials from different departments have been assigned to inspect buildings and identify problem areas, so improvements can be made.”

While he believes departments are making efforts to enhance accessibility, Ahmad fumed over progress being slow, and "disabled individuals continue to bear the brunt of negligence."

For many, he said, the ability to move freely in public spaces is not just about convenience but  a matter of dignity, independence, and the right to be seen and heard."