PU’s accessibility drive takes the slow lift up

Chandigarh: In a major push toward a barrier-free campus, Panjab University (PU) is set to equip its iconic academic blocks and the construction office with elevators under a multi-crore Central accessibility project. While the departments of chemistry, physics, and zoology have been earmarked for these long-awaited upgrades, the university is now racing against a looming fiscal deadline, seeking an extension to navigate the rigorous procurement hurdles of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).According to details shared by the Equal Opportunity Cell for Persons with Disabilities, lift installation in these four buildings is part of the first phase of works funded through a Rs 5.2 crore grant sanctioned by the Centre under the Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA).The grant, released as the first instalment of a larger Rs 54 crore proposal cleared for the university, is aimed at creating barrier-free infrastructure, including elevators, ramps, accessible toilets and tactile pathways across campus. In the current phase, eight buildings have been identified for upgrades, with lifts planned in four of them. The remaining buildings will see other accessibility interventions in line with prescribed standards. Officials said the project is still at the preparatory stage, with a specialised agency engaged to finalise drawings and cost estimates before execution.PU vice-chancellor Renu Vig said the university has been asked to utilise the sanctioned amount by the end of the ongoing financial year, but timelines are constrained due to procedural requirements. "We have been told to utilise the money by the end of this financial year. But such works, especially installation of lifts, cannot be completed immediately," she said.She said procurement norms are a key factor. "All procurement has to be done through the GeM portal. There is a proper process involved, and that takes time," she added.The university has sought an extension for utilisation of funds. "We have requested more time so that the process is completed properly and the work is executed as per norms," she said.The project follows an accessibility audit conducted in December 2023, which identified gaps in infrastructure for persons with disabilities and formed the basis for the proposal submitted to the Centre.