Anurag Waghmare | 25th September 2025
As I venture out into the crowded streets of Mumbai, I wonder: how accessible are the city’s most popular places for people with disabilities or even for older adults who may have mobility issues? Accessibility is not just about ramps or elevators; it is about inclusion, dignity, and the ability to discover. Therefore, I chose to spend a couple of days touring five of Mumbai’s most populous and popular locations—the Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, CSMT Railway Station, Juhu Beach, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya—keeping a close eye on how welcoming these locations are for individuals with locomotor disabilities, visual or hearing impairments, and for our elderly citizens.
Gateway of India
Standing proudly by the Arabian Sea, the Gateway of India greets thousands of daily visitors, locals, and street sellers. But from an accessibility point of view, cracks start to appear. Dedicated wheelchairs or ramps are nowhere to be found here, making it tough for a wheelchair-bound person to move around easily. The stone steps and uneven terrain make it even more challenging.
Signboards exist, but tactile communication is absent, leaving visually impaired visitors to rely on others. As for AV equipment, there is nothing that assists a person with speech or hearing disabilities in accessing the monument’s rich heritage. Seniors tend to sit on the stairs, but you can sense the effort it takes for them to ascend and descend.
Elephanta Caves
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Elephanta Caves should be a cultural gem within reach of all. But reality tells a different story. To access the caves, you must first take a ferry from the Gateway of India and then climb a very long, steep flight of stairs. Wheelchair access is virtually non-existent—no ramps, no elevators, no wheelchairs. For people with locomotor disabilities or elderly visitors, the process is nearly impossible. It is disappointing to realize that one of Mumbai’s top destinations almost completely excludes people with disabilities.
Signboards exist, but again, there are no tactile routes or braille descriptions. There are also no AV aids or guided tours for the hearing impaired. The caves echo with history, but sadly, not with inclusivity.
CSMT Railway Station
CSMT is the heart of Mumbai’s railway network, handling lakhs of passengers daily. Here, accessibility is not just a matter of convenience but also of safety. The good news is that ramps are available at several entry points, and elevators can take passengers to platforms. Wheelchairs are available at designated help desks, though accessing them often requires waiting or booking in advance.
Signboards are visible everywhere, but tactile communication is still lacking—no tactile paving to guide visually impaired commuters safely. Audio announcements are common, but they only serve those who can hear; visual boards are not available in all areas to support people with hearing impairments. For the elderly, CST provides benches and resting areas, but the crowd and congestion make the experience overwhelming.
Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach is where Mumbai catches its breath, where the city slows down with bhel puri in hand and the roar of waves in the ears. But when it comes to accessibility, the story changes. Wheelchair users face a massive hurdle: the sandy stretch is almost impossible to cross without help. There are no ramps leading directly onto the beach, no signboards providing accessibility information, and no tactile or AV aids for people with sensory disabilities.
Older citizens tend to sit along the promenade, but reaching closer to the sea requires assistance. What Juhu Beach highlights is that natural spaces require just as much accessibility planning as man-made structures.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)
This museum is, in my opinion, one of the best examples of accessibility in Mumbai. The staff is specially trained to ensure a good experience for visitors with disabilities. The main entrance has ramps, and wheelchairs are available at the reception. Clear signboards are placed throughout the museum, and while tactile communication is limited, some gestures exist in certain areas.
For hearing-impaired visitors, there are few AV aids, but some exhibitions feature subtitled videos. Elderly visitors find this space relatively easier to navigate compared to outdoor monuments, thanks to sitting areas and shaded courtyards. CSMVS shows that cultural centers can indeed be made accessible if proper planning is in place.
My Takeaway
Exploring these five locations made me realize that accessibility in Mumbai is still in its early stages. Our landmarks stand tall in history, but not yet in inclusivity. The absence of ramps, tactile routes, and AV aids is a reminder that access isn’t a “facility”—it’s a right. For older adults and those with disabilities, these shortfalls turn what should be joyful discoveries into struggles.
Mumbai prides itself on being a city for all, but if our greatest spaces continue to exclude many, then the city is not truly inclusive. The need of the hour is not just a series of small fixes, such as adding a few ramps, but a complete redesign of spaces that speak, guide, and welcome everyone equally. Because at the end of the day, accessibility is not charity. It is justice.
Anuragh Waghmare is a passionate writer and accessibility advocate who explores urban spaces through the lens of inclusivity. He focuses on highlighting challenges faced by people with disabilities and the elderly, aiming to spark meaningful change in city planning and public spaces.
