Tejasvi Surya inaugurates Wheelchair-friendly toilet at Lalbagh, backed by Australian consulate

Bengaluru

In a significant move towards improving accessibility in public spaces, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya on Saturday inaugurated a wheelchair-friendly toilet at Lalbagh Botanical Garden. The facility, constructed by the NGO Ramp My City with support from the Australian Consulate in Bengaluru, aims to enhance dignity and ease of access for persons with disabilities.

The initiative was steered by Surya’s office, which identified the location, while the Horticulture Department of the Karnataka Government provided space for the facility within the iconic Lalbagh premises. The inauguration event saw the presence of Australian High Commissioner to India Phillip Green, Australian Consul-General in Bengaluru Hillary McGreachy, and Ramp My City founder Prateek Khandelwal.

Calling it “a small but powerful step,” Surya emphasised the importance of inclusion in public infrastructure. “This facility is about dignity, accessibility, and independence. It reflects our commitment to creating a more inclusive Bengaluru,” he said.

Surya highlighted previous collaborations with Ramp My City, including the construction of accessibility ramps at over 15 government offices and police stations. A wheelchair-friendly resting point for gig workers outside the Bengaluru South MP Office—built by the same NGO—has become a widely used feature for Divyangjan and others, he noted.

He also expressed gratitude to the Australian Consulate, calling their partnership “an example of how governments and civil society can work together to bring meaningful change.”

“This is just the beginning,” Surya said, adding that he hoped more such inclusive infrastructure projects would be implemented across the city.

The new washroom is expected to serve hundreds of disabled visitors who frequent Lalbagh each week, ensuring access to basic sanitation in one of Bengaluru’s most beloved public spaces.

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