Equipped with wide and bulbous wheels that can navigate beach sands with ease, these wheelchairs in blue are the latest attraction at Marina Beach and Elliots Beach. Marina Beach has the lion’s share of them — ten — while its petite cousin Elliots Beach has two.
As far as Marina Beach, these specially-designed wheelchairs could be seen as an addition to its Blue Flag beach features which promote environmental sustainability and accessibility.
An executive engineer with Greater Chennai Corporation pointed out that out of the 10 baloon wheelchairs (as they are called, given the shape and look of their wheels), eight are parked near the swimming pool and the two near the wooden ramp.
“Five dedicated people take turns to oversee the use of these wheelchairs which are meant for those with physical disabilities,” says the official. As of now, they are available from morning to evening. “People are allowed to keep the wheelchair and enjoy the beach but when there is a demand we might ask them to return it within a time frame,” says the engineer.
Jimmy Fitter, senior manager sales and marketing — south, Seedee Wheelchairs LLP, says Greater Chennai Corporation procured 10 beach buggy wheelchairs from the company and they have also trained the staff on how to use it. The beach buggy can take up to 128 kg and can move easily on loose, wet sand and on water.
The manually-operated vehicle does not require any major adjustments or understanding. Jimmy says as and when the pressure goes below the required reading, the wheels need to be filled with air using an air pump. He says: “If there is rusting of nut bolts due to sea air then wheel pressure has to be maintained as per specifications.”
Published – August 10, 2025 07:42 pm IST
