Implement Facilities To Enable Free Movement Of Persons With Disabilities In Public Places: High Court To Delhi Govt

The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi Government to endeavour to implement suggestions of stakeholders on the facilities to encourage movement of persons with disabilities in public places, including completion of civil works, at the relevant places in the city by the end of March.

Justice Najmi Waziri was dealing with a petition filed by a young school girl who was permanently debilitated below the waist, therefore being wheelchair bound. She was unable to use footpaths, narrow streets, and transportation facilities and other forms of public transport.

Last year in December, the Court had called for a Social Disability Audit to be conducted by the Delhi Government within six weeks for the purpose of assessing the existing public infrastructure, including roads and other modes of transportation with regards to accessibility for persons with disabilities.

During the latest hearing on February 22, the Court was apprised by Advocate Gautam Narayan appearing for the Delhi Government that an affidavit was filed highlighting administrative directions issued by the Chief Secretary and also to the resultant empowerment of persons with special disabilities, especially the wheelchair-bound.

The Court was informed that Senior IAS Officer was appointed as the Nodal Officer and that all relevant departments and agencies in the city had appointed their respective officers to coordinate with the nodal officer.

It was also informed that School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi had been appointed as a nodal agency for technical assistance and that deliberations were held with many stakeholders, NGOs.

The Court was informed that the Executive Director, Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment Foundation had made suggestions regarding provision of enabling facilities to encourage movement of persons with disabilities in public places. Similarly, suggestions were also given by Joint Secretary, National Association for Blind.

"It is expected that all suggestions of the participants and stakeholders, would also be duly considered," the Court said.

It added "The School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi has been requested by GNCTD to identify and survey five stretches of roads for carrying out "social disability audit". It is to be extensively videographed and photographed."

Therefore, looking at the urgent need for facilitation of movement of persons with disabilities, the court requested the School of Planning and Architecture, to endeavour to submit an interim report by March 3, so that some immediate remedial measures would be implemented on the identified stretches of roads, especially at bus stops, to facilitate the wheelchair-bound and other disabled persons to access with ease, the public transport services for their commuting in the city.

"The GNCTD will endeavour to implement the suggestions, including completion of civil works, at the relevant places by the end of March, 2022," the Court directed.

It added "It is hoped that all parties will assist in the much-needed exercise which has been initiated under the supervision and guidance of the Chief Secretary, GNCTD. A report in this regard shall be filed by GNCTD before the next date."

The matter will now be heard on March 10.

Earlier, the Court had observed that non-availability of requisite and enabling infrastructure for persons with disability was glaring and apparent throughout the city.

Case Title: JYOTI SINGH v. NAND KISHORE & ORS

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