Ahmedabad: Defunct Sabarmati riverfront lifts let down persons with disabilities

AHMEDABAD: The Sabarmati riverfront, the jewel of Ahmedabad’s development, has no space for those with disabilities or senior citizens. There are nine elevators on both sides of the riverfront but only one is functional, with the remaining eight dysfunctional or locked.
Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd (SRFDCL) has installed these elevators for disabled people and senior citizens to get from the upper promenade to the lower one. Visitors with physical disabilities are thus forced to either remain on the upper promenade or struggle down the stairs to the lower promenade.

Naran Barot, a polio-affected resident of Ranip, visits Sabarmati riverfront often. “I am a member of a group of disabled people. We often meet at the riverfront. Every time we try to access the lifts they are either locked or not working,” Barot said. He added that climbing down the stairs is also very difficult for him.
Raghu Rabari, a resident of Chandkheda, who lost a leg in an accident, says, “The riverfront is one place where I can get some peace of mind without spending money. I cannot reach the lower level as the lifts are never working or are locked.” Many senior citizens face the same problem.
An SRFDCL official said the lift maintenance is not done by SRFDCL but has been contracted out. “We will look into the matter,” he said.