On the occasion of World Heritage Day, Madhya Pradesh is taking a significant step toward inclusive tourism by making its historical sites accessible to all — especially persons with disabilities. The state is rolling out its ‘Accessibility Infrastructure and Development’ project at Maheshwar, Mandu, Dhar, and Orchha, aiming to create a more welcoming experience at these iconic cultural destinations.

The initiative, under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and Tourism Minister Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, includes infrastructure upgrades such as ramps, Braille signage, wheelchair-accessible pathways, tactile maps, and audio guides to assist visitors with locomotor, visual, auditory, and intellectual disabilities.

According to Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary and MD of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, the project not only supports the goal of getting more sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list, but also ensures that “every individual, regardless of physical ability, can experience the timeless beauty of our heritage.”

Key site interventions:

Funding support for the project has been proposed under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, making it a unique model for cultural accessibility in India.

Madhya Pradesh already boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Khajuraho, Bhimbetka, and Sanchi — and 15 sites on the tentative list, including the Gwalior Fort, Bundela forts of Orchha, Ashokan Edicts, Chausath Yogini temples, and the Bhedaghat Marble Rocks.

By combining preservation with accessibility, the state is solidifying its status as India’s heritage heartland, where stories from centuries past are made accessible to all.