Thiruvananthapuram's Napier Museum Gets Ramp and Stairlift for Accessibility

Ramp, Stairlift Installed to Make Thiruvananthapuram's Napier Museum Accessible

In a significant step towards inclusivity, Kerala's Minister for Museums and Zoo, O.J. Janeesh, on Wednesday inaugurated a ramp and stairlift at the Napier Museum in Thiruvananthapuram. These facilities aim to improve access to the Museum auditorium, located on the first floor of the building that houses the KCS Panicker Art Gallery.

The auditorium frequently hosts exhibitions and other programmes, but until now, it remained inaccessible to differently-abled individuals. Installing a conventional lift was deemed impractical due to space constraints in the heritage structure. The newly introduced stairlift addresses this challenge, aligning with the government’s commitment to inclusive development, the Minister stated.

Accessibility Upgrades Across Museum Premises

The initiative extends beyond the auditorium. A ramp has been constructed at the 3D theatre, and handrails have been added to the existing ramp at the Natural History Museum. These upgrades were funded through the Museum Plan, with the stairlift installation costing ₹9 lakh and the ramp work at the 3D theatre amounting to ₹6.7 lakh.

Zoo and Museum Director P.S. Manjula Devi was present at the inauguration, which also included a photo exhibition and documentaries on tigers as part of International Tiger Day celebrations. The event was organised by Wildframes, a photographers’ community, in collaboration with the Forest Department and the Department of Museums and Zoos.

Call for Public Responsibility

Speaking at the event, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan emphasised the importance of maintaining public facilities. He highlighted the museum’s potential to attract more visitors with improved amenities and urged citizens to take responsibility for their upkeep.

The accessibility enhancements mark a meaningful step toward ensuring that cultural and educational spaces like the Napier Museum are welcoming to all, reflecting the state’s broader vision of inclusive development.

Source: The Hindu