Nagpur: Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court on Tuesday delivered sharp oral remarks over widespread encroachments on footpaths and lack of accessibility for persons with disabilities, directing the civic body to place detailed compliance data on record.“Take a walk in Khamla,” division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode observed. Officials, the court said, would understand “real situation” if they surveyed the locality themselves. The observations came during hearing of PIL filed by Prakash Andhare, seeking enforcement of accessibility norms in public facilities across Nagpur.
Appearing for petitioner, counsel Sejal Lakhani sought permission to widen scope of the petition, arguing that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 is not being implemented within municipal limits. She submitted that “not a single footpath or bus stop” is fully compatible with prescribed accessibility standards, citing absence of kerb ramps and barrier-free access, rendering infrastructure unusable for wheelchair users.Bench expressed concern that despite mandates, infra remains inaccessible to persons with disabilities. It allowed amendment application, granting one week to incorporate pleadings. The court directed NMC to file within two weeks a detailed list specifying how many bus stops, footpaths provide facilities for persons with disabilities.
