Lalbagh Launches First Inclusive Washroom for Disabled Visitors

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Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bengaluru has opened its first fully accessible washroom, improving facilities for visitors with physical disabilities. The new installation is part of a wider effort to enhance infrastructure for mobility-impaired individuals in public spaces.

The project was implemented with the support of the accessibility advocacy group RampMyCity and inaugurated by Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya, along with Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green and other dignitaries.

The facility meets international accessibility standards, including wheelchair-compatible entrances, support handrails, and spacious interiors. The washroom’s installation highlights a growing focus on functional upgrades in Indian public spaces, particularly those that increase independence and usability for disabled citizens.

RampMyCity founder Prateek Khandelwal, speaking at the event, said the facility addresses a basic civic need. “Access to amenities like washrooms is a matter of dignity,” he noted, underscoring the importance of ensuring that public infrastructure accommodates all citizens.

Australian Consul-General Hilary McGeachy also attended, emphasizing the role of inclusive design in fostering public participation. Her remarks pointed to shared international interest in practical models for accessibility improvements.

MP Tejasvi Surya described the project as an example of effective cooperation between civic organizations and local authorities. “This is a model of what public-private collaboration can deliver,” he said.

The development aligns with broader national efforts to modernize urban infrastructure with targeted, cost-efficient upgrades. Rather than large-scale schemes, such initiatives focus on improving everyday access and usability for underserved groups.

Lalbagh’s new facility also serves a symbolic role. As one of Bengaluru’s oldest and most visited gardens, it represents a shift toward integrating accessibility into mainstream urban planning.

RampMyCity has stated that the project is part of an ongoing effort to bring similar upgrades to other public venues. The organization aims to support city authorities in making parks, museums, and transport hubs more inclusive through scalable and locally managed interventions.

With this addition, Lalbagh Botanical Garden has taken a notable step toward improving accessibility in Bengaluru, setting a precedent for other public institutions nationwide