A wheelchair-accessible restroom was officially opened at Bengaluru’s Lalbagh Botanical Garden on Saturday, with Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya leading the inauguration.
The facility was built by the NGO Ramp My City with assistance from the Australian Consulate in Bengaluru. The Karnataka Government’s Horticulture Department, which oversees Lalbagh, allocated the location, while the MP’s office helped identify the exact spot.
This initiative is part of a larger mission to enhance accessibility across public areas in the Bengaluru South constituency. In the past, Surya’s office and Ramp My City have collaborated on installing ramps in over 15 public institutions, including government buildings and police stations. The NGO has also created an accessible resting point for gig workers with disabilities outside the MP’s local office.
Describing the development as meaningful, Surya stated, “This is a modest yet impactful move toward inclusive public spaces. It ensures dignity and autonomy for people with disabilities.” He added, “Public-private partnerships like these are essential. Accessibility must become central to our infrastructure planning.”
The launch event was graced by Australian High Commissioner to India Phillip Green, Consul-General Hillary McGreachy, and Ramp My City founder Prateek Khandelwal.
The newly installed facility is expected to significantly benefit hundreds of differently-abled individuals who visit the historic garden every week, reinforcing a growing push toward inclusivity in city design and civic amenities.