SEMINAR ON SMART ACCESSIBILITY SOLUTIONS IN BHUBANESWAR
28th March, 2017; Bhubaneswar, Odisha
INTERIM REPORT
The Smart Cities Mission launched by Government of India focuses on creating a sustainable and
inclusive development by providing core infrastructure and a decent quality of life with the usage
of information and communication technology. To press upon the need for inclusion of persons
with disabilities in the Smart Cities, NCPEDP in collaboration with Swabhiman organized a
seminar on Smart Accessibility Solutions in Bhubaneswar on 28th March, 2017.
The main objective of the seminar was to ensure the rights and provisions for persons with
disabilities in the Smart Cities Mission in Odisha. The seminar comprised of the following
sessions:
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Inaugural Session
Session I: Smart Accessibility in Smart Cities through Digital Inclusion.
o Assistive Technologies for Education and Workplace
o Making Smart City Bhubaneswar ICT Accessible
Session II: Bhubaneswar Smart City Proposal, implementing Complete Streets
Session III: Way Ahead and Action Plan
The inaugural session started with a welcome address by Mr. Vineel Krishna, IAS, CEO,
Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited emphasizing on the need for child and disabled friendly cities
with a focus on prosperity, equity and safety. Following this were the introductory remarks by Dr.
Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman. Dr. Mohapatra laid stress on urbanization and
a need for inclusive development to improve the quality of life in urban areas while maintaining
the economical and ecological sustainability. Further Dr. Sruti Mohapatra stated that diversity
should be taken into consideration in policy making by urban planners and that resources should
be well spent for all of us. Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP, in his address,
expressed major concern for disability sector today is ensuring Digital Inclusion of persons with
disabilities in all facilities of the Mission. Mr. Abidi remarked that the gaps related to the
accessibility of persons with disabilities in the Mission reflect poorly on our systems despite the
availability of tools and techniques. Sounding hopeful, he said that the new RPWD Act 2016 will
cause a major paradigm shift for persons with disabilities. The Inaugural ended with the address
of Ms. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President & Head - CSR, Mphasis. Ms. Bhambhani stated
that Smart Cities Mission is a great opportunity for including the principles of Universal Design
in all the components of area-based development. The features should not be limited to only
disabled friendly pathways and footpaths. Importance should also be given to physical
infrastructure which will support digital inclusion of persons with disabilities.
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Figure 1 – Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP addressing the participants on significance of digital accessibility in
Smart Cities Mission. Inaugural Session From left to right: Ms. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President & Head – CSR, Mphasis Mr.
Vineel Krishna, IAS, CEO, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP Dr. Sruti Mohapatra,
Chief Executive, Swabhiman
Panel 1 of the Session I on Smart Accessibility in Smart Cities through Digital Inclusion focusing
on assistive technology started with the special address by Mr. R. Balakrishnan, IAS,
Development-cum-Add Chief Secretary to Govt. of Odisha. Mr. R. Balakrishnan stated that
a Smart City cannot be Smart without addressing the issues of accessibility in service delivery and
that inclusion must be holistic. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Sruti Mohapatra,
Chief Executive, Swabhiman giving insight into the legal framework in place that mandates
inclusive development with all the laws, acts, programs and policies in place the development has
to be inclusive. Mr. James Thurston, Vice-President, Global Initiative for Inclusive
Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict) started the discussion by highlighting
the ongoing global trends in accessible Smart Cities. He emphasized that the real risk is the
growing digital divide and the technology needs to be accessible and user-friendly for all. The
discussion was then followed by Ms. Shilpi Kapoor, Founder Director, BarrierBreak stating
that accessibility is about the choice and the right to choose. Ms. Kapoor emphasized that
inclusion is not exclusive for persons with disabilities but is for everyone and technology is a key
enabler in making every smart solution accessible for all curtailing the digital divide. Mr. R.
Balakrishnan, IAS, Development-cum-Add Chief Secretary to Govt. of Odisha further added
to include objectives on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Vision 2036 document for
Odisha. Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP concluded the panel discussion by
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stating that enforcement of law must be strict and that all procurement must adhere to the
accessibility standards for persons with disabilities. Ms. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President &
Head - CSR, Mphasis further added that tracking of vendors and ensuring parameters for persons
with disabilities is very imperative.
Figure 2 - Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman on need of Inclusive Development in urban Areas Session I: Smart
Accessibility in Smart Cities through digital Inclusion From Left to Right: Ms. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President & Head – CSR,
Mphasis Ms. Shilpi Kapoor, Founder Director, BarrierBreak Mr. James Thurston, Vice – President, G3ict Mr. Javed Abidi,
Honorary Director, NCPEDP Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman
The Panel II of the Session II, Making Smart City Bhubaneswar ICT Accessible started with Mr.
Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP welcoming Dr. Kishan Kumar, IAS, ViceChairman, BDA and MD, BSCL. Mr. Abidi emphasized that even though there is a close
connect between disability and old age, and that a large population comes under this umbrella,
there is a lack of awareness and sensitivity. There is a major disconnect between the Accessible
India Campaign and Smart Cities Mission and other various flagship programs of the Government
of India. Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman continued the discussion by
expressing that this is the most exciting time for disability sector to be part of the mainstream
development agenda and that convergence of resources and programs is very important to
holistically address accessibility solutions. Ms. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President & Head CSR, Mphasis for this press the need for the right procurement policy which includes accessibility
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guidelines for persons with disabilities. Mr. James Thurston, Vice-President, G3ict continued
the discussion by highlighting the tools for accessible Smart Cities. He specifically talked about
the market for Smart Cities technology which is booming and the need for governments to adopt
clear policies which make procurement of accessible technology mandatory. Ms. Shilpi Kapoor,
Founder Director, BarrierBreak followed the discussion by stating that dissemination of
information using technology is a major means of reaching out accessible built environment. Dr.
Kishan Kumar, IAS, Vice-Chairman, BDA and MD, BSCL in his address focused on the need
to ensure that Bye-laws, standards and guidelines are enforceable at the city level. He further gave
his assurance that accessibility features/guidelines for persons with disabilities will be incorporated
in the revision of State Bye-Laws and also in developing child and disabled friendly street designs
and public spaces under the Mission. Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP added that
proper accessibility guidelines for built environment and for IT procurement should be followed
like newly launched National building Code of India 2016 and the latest version of WCAG.
Mr. Vineel Krishna, IAS, CEO, BSCL further concluded that one of the biggest challenges is
verification and to acquire a certificate for persons with disabilities which create problems during
the implementation stages.
Figure 3 - Dr. Kishan Kumar, IAS, Vice-Chairman, BDA and MD, BSCL addressing the participants on incorporation of Universal
Access in Design Components of projects.
Session II on Bhubaneswar Smart City Proposal, Implementing Complete Streets, Mr. Sandeep
V., Urban Planner, IBI Group made a presentation highlighting the proposal of complete streets
through urban regeneration by promoting equitable allocation of space for all users in
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Bhubaneswar. It also captured the design aspects of built environment for persons with disabilities.
During the Question and Answer following the presentation concerns were raised on the the usage
of technologically driven solutions like e-challan, digital signages, etc by persons with disabilities.
Mr. Sandeep V. clarified that procurement of the project will incorporate standards for accessible
technology.
Figure 4 - Mr. Sandeep V., Urban Planner, IBI Group and Team presenting Bhubaneswar Smart City Proposal, Implementing
Complete Streets
Session III Way Ahead and Action Plan, Mr. B.S Chayani, Additional, Commissioner-cumMember-Enforcement, BDA in his address stated that every facility and service should be
designed by keeping in mind the requisites for persons with disabilities. He also talked about the
vital need to create mass awareness and sensitization towards various needs of persons with
disabilities. Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP in his closing remarks stated that
Smart Cities Mission is an extremely important opportunity for creating awareness and inclusion
of accessibility standards for persons with disabilities in the procurement policy, guidelines of
Indian Road Congress, Schedule of Rates, etc. Disability leadership and accessibility experts
should also reach out to the Indian Buildings Congress, Engineering Council of India, and Council
of Architecture in order to promote accessibility parameters and standards among major
institutions. The seminar concluded by Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman
remarks stating that smart solutions are not smart unless they cater the accessibility needs of
elders/aging and disabled population.
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Figure 5 - Participants at Seminar on Smart Accessibility Solutions in Bhubaneswar
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