MISSION ACCESSIBLE DELHI- VISION COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010

Ashwani Agarwal, Anjlee Agarwal, Debabrata Chakravarti

Director, Executive Director, Director
SAMARTHYAM, National Centre for Accessible Environments
B-181, Mansarovar Garden, New Delhi, India, Telefax +91-11-41019389,
Cell +91-9810558321, samarthyaindia@yahoo.com

Purpose of the Project

The Commonwealth Games (CWG), to be held in India’s capital Delhi in October 2010,
will be the largest and most spectacular sports event in the country. The Games will
showcase the economic, social and technical prowess of modern day India. The
Government of Delhi has allocated INR 11.89 billion to enhance, expand and upgrade
city infrastructure thereby ushering in a much needed growth impetus to make Delhi a
world class city. Realizing that a “world class city” should be an “inclusive city”;
Samarthyam, National Centre for Accessible Environments, took this opportunity to
review these urban renewal projects through an accessibility lens.

Methodology
Samarthyam in association with the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Handicap
International, conceptualized “Accessible Delhi” project mission in 2007, with a view to
develop replicable model barrier free sites/services in the city. Samarthyam is
collaborating with stakeholders and service providers such as Commonwealth
Organizing Committee, Commissioner Disabilities, Delhi Tourism & Transportation
Development Corporation, New Delhi Municipal Council, Sports Authority of India,
Director General Civil Aviation and Central Public Works Department to formulate and
promote Para-Sport, accessible infrastructure and tourism. 23 public facilities, buildings
and multi-modal transportation systems in Delhi such as stadiums, tourism sites,
hospital, shopping arcades, gardens & parks, road & street infrastructure, airline
reservation centre, rail & bus terminus, low floor buses and bus shelters were identified
to be made accessible in a time bound manner.

Samarthyam organized several workshops such as ‘Training of Trainers for creation of

Resource Pool of Access Auditors’ and ‘Disability Awareness and Sensitization’.
Checklists were developed for access audit and rating of sites/services.

Access audits conducted by the Resource Pool revealed some common deficiencies
viz. high pavements; inaccessible parking; steep ramps; absence of tactile paving;
handrails and Braille signages; inaccessible washrooms; slippery flooring; safety
evacuation measures and inaccessible public transportation. Report recommendations
with implementation strategies were sent to the concerned authorities. Monitoring of
implementation process is underway.
Results
The colonial city-centre and Delhi’s main shopping area- Connaught Place is already
experiencing a resurgence. Nehru and Talkatora Gardens are being rejuvenated. The
city’s heritage monuments and other tourist’s sites are being refurbished with accessible
design features. A total of 1100 new low-floor, high-capacity air-conditioned buses will
ply on Delhi roads in 2010 to ease commuting. Bus Rapid Transit and bus shelters have
added to Delhi’s modern look as have new signage and accessible public
conveniences. A dedicated fully accessible Metro line will link the international airport to
the city centre.

Conclusion
CWG is second largest sports event after Olympics in modern times. CWG Delhi, 2010
can well prove to be a catalyst for major development in India's infrastructural, sporting
and social growth by providing a reason for global travelers to come together in a spirit
of competition, learning and life experiences. It hopes to set new benchmarks for other
Host nations with regards to urban sustainable development by showcasing excellent
accessible facilities and present a newer, vibrant and inclusive approach to their cities,
which will be used by generations to come.

Topic code
E. Accessibility audit and rating of products and services for major events

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