Nagpur High Court Issues Sharp Rebuke Over Inaccessible Infrastructure for Disabled
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court delivered pointed oral remarks on Tuesday, expressing severe dissatisfaction with the widespread encroachments on footpaths and the glaring lack of accessibility for persons with disabilities across the city. The division bench, comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode, directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to place detailed compliance data on the official record, highlighting systemic failures in implementing mandated norms.
Court Urges Officials to "Take a Walk in Khamla" to Witness Reality
During the hearing, the bench made a striking observation, stating, "Take a walk in Khamla," and emphasized that civic officials would only comprehend the "real situation" if they personally surveyed the locality. This remark underscored the court's frustration with the disconnect between administrative mandates and on-ground realities, where infrastructure remains largely unusable for wheelchair users and other persons with disabilities.
PIL Highlights Systemic Non-Compliance with Disability Act
The court's observations emerged during the proceedings of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Prakash Andhare, which seeks the enforcement of accessibility norms in public facilities throughout Nagpur. Appearing for the petitioner, counsel Sejal Lakhani argued for widening the scope of the petition, contending that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, is not being implemented within municipal limits.
Lakhani submitted that "not a single footpath or bus stop" in the city fully complies with prescribed accessibility standards. She cited critical deficiencies, including the absence of kerb ramps and barrier-free access, which render public infrastructure effectively inaccessible for individuals with mobility challenges.
Bench Expresses Deep Concern Over Inaccessible Infrastructure
The bench expressed profound concern that, despite clear legal mandates, the city's infrastructure remains largely inaccessible to persons with disabilities. In response, the court allowed an amendment application, granting the petitioner one week to incorporate additional pleadings into the case. This move aims to address the broader issues of non-compliance highlighted during the hearing.
NMC Directed to Submit Detailed Compliance Report
In a significant directive, the High Court ordered the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to file a detailed list within two weeks. This report must specify how many bus stops and footpaths across the city actually provide facilities for persons with disabilities, as required by law. The court's insistence on concrete data reflects its intent to hold the civic body accountable and ensure transparency in addressing these critical accessibility gaps.
The case underscores ongoing challenges in urban governance, where enforcement of disability rights laws often lags behind statutory requirements, impacting the daily lives of vulnerable citizens.
