Take Steps To Ensure Upcoming Bus Stands Are Disabled Friendly: Madras High Court To CMDA

The bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy was hearing a plea by disability rights activist Vaishnavi Jayakumar seeking directions to the CMDA to ensure that the newly constructed Kilambakkam Bus Terminus is compliant with the design and standards prescribed in the Harmonised Guidelines.

Previously, a joint inspection was conducted and an access audit report was also shared with the petitioners in which 17 deficiencies were pointed out. The authorities informed the court that work orders were issued for seven deficiencies and would be issued for the remaining deficiencies also.

The authorities also informed the court that the work contract for the remaining deficiencies will be issued within two months and the tender would contain all the details of the works to be carried out in accordance with the audit report and the guidelines.

When the court was informed that new bus stands were also being constructed, the court remarked that the same would also have to be constructed by following the guidelines. The court also suggested that the Access auditors could make periodical inspections during the construction of the bus stand and make suggestions whenever necessary.

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Mad) 41

Case Title: Vaishnavi Jayakumar v The Chennai Metropolitan Development

Case No: W.P.No.29942 of 2023