Nadiad, September 7 (Daily Kiran) : In Nadiad, Gujarat, the second Assistive Technology Mart (ATM) in India was inaugurated on September 7, 2026. This facility, established by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), aims to provide a wide range of assistive devices for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens.
The new center in Kheda district follows the first ATM launched in Kanpur. ALIMCO operates under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and focuses on making affordable prosthetics and assistive devices available nationwide.
The Nadiad ATM offers an array of mobility aids and daily living devices, including wheelchairs, walking sticks, electric scooters, bicycles, smart glasses, prosthetic limbs, crutches, and canes for the visually impaired. Notably, it features AI-enabled sticks that can operate in 12 languages, along with tools designed to assist those with hearing and speech difficulties. The center also provides technologies that enhance the mobility and safety of the elderly.
District Collector N.V. Upadhyay expressed pride in the inauguration, describing it as a significant step towards making assistive technologies more accessible. He emphasized that this facility will allow disabled individuals and the elderly to find the equipment they need in one convenient location.
Praveen Kumar, Chairman of ALIMCO, hailed the establishment of the Nadiad center as a historic milestone. He discussed the National Vayoshri Yojana and the Disability Assistance Scheme, assuring that ALIMCO will develop devices based on user needs and expectations. Kumar believes this initiative could serve as a model on an international scale and thanked the Kheda district administration for their support.
Additional Collector Vimal Barot noted that the ATM could function like a supermarket for assistive products, bringing various aids under one roof. He also highlighted the Accessible India Campaign, stating that the state government is working towards a more sensitive and inclusive approach to disability.
During the inauguration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ALIMCO and Maa Gayatri Ortho Care. Chairman Chandra Gopalji of Gayatri Ortho Care remarked that the center’s facilities would help reach more individuals with disabilities. ALIMCO General Manager Ajay Chaudhary provided insights into the corporation’s activities.
This launch coincides with ALIMCO’s efforts to expand its ATM network, which will serve as specialized outlets for showcasing, selling, and providing basic service support for assistive products. The framework for 2026 envisions these marts as a means to enhance access to assistive technology and strengthen last-mile delivery.
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