India needs accessible infra to host 2036 Games: Jhajharia

As India eyes hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) President Devendra Jhajharia has underscored the urgent need to make the country’s infrastructure accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities.

Speaking at an event following the World Para Athletics Championships, which concluded on Sunday, Jhajharia said that accessibility should be treated as a “national priority” rather than an afterthought.

“We saw firsthand the importance of integrating accessibility in major sporting events. With India’s ambitions for the 2036 Olympics, accessibility must be mainstreamed across planning and execution. It’s not just about compliance, it's about inclusion and dignity,” said Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist and one of India’s most decorated para-athletes.

During the recent championships, Svayam, the accessibility partner, provided barrier-free transportation and support services to para-athletes. The initiative, Jhajharia noted, set a benchmark for how India can host inclusive global sporting events in the future.

Sminu Jindal, Founder and Chairperson of Svayam, echoed Jhajharia’s call, stressing that accessibility in tourism, transport, hospitality, sports, and public spaces would be critical to strengthen India’s upcoming mega-event bids.

“Accessible infrastructure is not charity, it's smart planning that benefits everyone while driving economic growth,” Jindal said. “After successfully hosting this championship, we have shown that accessibility and excellence can go hand in hand.”

She also cited the World Bank’s Inclusive Cities Report 2022, which concluded that nations investing in accessibility ahead of major international events witnessed significant economic, social, and tourism benefits.

Jindal added that accessible environments create opportunities for senior citizens and people with reduced mobility while boosting overall infrastructure quality.

Both Jhajharia and Jindal emphasized that India’s Olympic and Commonwealth ambitions can only succeed if accessibility is woven into the country’s urban development, sports planning, and policy frameworks making inclusivity a visible and lived reality rather than a symbolic gesture.