Panaji: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has taken a significant step towards inclusive urban development by planning a Rs 4 crore play and enrichment centre for neurodivergent children, particularly those on the autism spectrum. The facility will be located in Caranzalem and aims to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for children, young adults, and their families.
Facility Features
The centre will include sensory-friendly play areas, art and music spaces, sensory gardens, care rooms, and life skills training areas for older youth. The design emphasises creating a space that caters to the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals, promoting their development and well-being.
Project Details
CCP has floated a tender to appoint a design consultant for the project, with a proposed consultancy fee of Rs 20 lakh. In mid-April, CCP mayor Rohit Monserrate held a meeting with design consultants Abhijit Murugkar and Priya Ranade to review plans for the enrichment centre as part of ongoing efforts to create inclusive infrastructure in the state capital.
According to CCP commissioner Clen Madeira, the project is expected to take one year to complete once the work order is issued. The appointed consultant will be responsible for preparing a detailed architectural design, ensuring sensory-sensitive spatial planning, and compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The design and detailed project report for the facility is anticipated to take one month.
Inclusive Design Elements
The centre, as envisaged by CCP, will include indoor inclusive play and recreation zones, outdoor motor skills activity structures, nature exploration decks, sheltered sand and water play stations, counselling and consultation rooms, caregiver support spaces, and transition and life skills facilities for young adults aged 16 to 25. The design brief also mandates a sensory garden with aromatic and tactile plants, therapeutic landscape planting, and infrastructure such as acoustic treatment, sensory-aware lighting, rainwater harvesting, and solar-powered illumination.
This initiative underscores CCP's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all residents, particularly those with special needs.
