Chennai: The disability-friendly ramp on Marina Beach has become unusable due to neglect. Designed to provide safe and accessible sea views for persons with disabilities (PwD), the ramp now features an uneven and damaged surface, missing railings, and broken CCTV cameras dangling overhead. Instead of welcoming visitors, it now discourages them.
Maintenance Neglect and Public Misuse
Sreenivasan R, a subject matter expert, emphasized the need for regular upkeep. "We need the ramp. It requires maintenance every two months," he said. He also pointed out a lack of public awareness: "The ramp is meant for PwD, but people who are lazy to walk on the sand use it now."
Auto driver Karthick S, a 12-year resident of the area, noted that people jump over railings to take videos and selfies, causing damage. "They broke it at least six months ago. The civic body has not replaced it," he added.
Risks to Users
The ramp is used by over a thousand specially abled individuals and the general public, with footfall increasing on weekends. Broken tiles, exposed nails, and protruding slabs have made the walkway hazardous. A watchman who ensured priority for the disabled is no longer present, as his contract ended.
A signboard by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) states the walkway is exclusively for PwD, warns against jumping, and claims 24/7 CCTV surveillance. However, none of these measures are in place.
Voices from the Community
K Gurusamy, a wheelchair user, said, "Uneven and bumpy surfaces are a nightmare for people with spinal cord injury. Public amenities for PwD are grossly overlooked. Stress on the back can be fatal for those with spinal cord injuries." He stressed the need for proper maintenance.
Alternative Solutions and Official Response
Phase II of the Blue Flag beach has installed mats for differently abled individuals as an alternative to wooden ramps. GCC executive engineer M Muthiah stated: "We sent a letter to special projects a week ago to float new tenders for ramp maintenance. Repair work on the ramp and CCTV cameras will begin soon." A decision will be made on whether to continue the wooden walkway or replace it with another material.
Sreenivasan advocated for wooden ramps: "Wooden ramps can be continued as they are easy to replace. If a tile is damaged, it can be changed quickly, unlike other materials where even a small hole could require larger repairs."
Project Background and Future Plans
The ramp project was announced in the 2022-23 financial budget at Rs 1.14 crore and inaugurated by then Chief Minister M K Stalin in November 2022. Deputy Mayor Mahesh Kumar stated he would inspect the ramp on Monday and instruct officials to address the concerns.
