BMC to check if differently abled can access key buildings - Times of India
MUMBAI: Bombay high court directed BMC on Thursday to inspect some 15 buildings and commercial establishments within three days and submit a report stating whether they are friendly to the differently abled. A bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Bharati Dangre said, “...inspect and report whether the statement that they are is correct or not.” TimesView While the rules are clear that establishments and buildings must have facilities for the differently abled, these exist simply to tick boxes so that permissions are obtained and then used for other purposes. The BMC does not monitor, nor does society as a whole worry about the issue. Cultural and entertainment spaces too are important, and the differently abled must have easy access to these. It's high time laws are enforced. The bench was hearing a PIL filed by interior designer Nisha Jamwal and advocate Abha Singh on the absence of facilities such as ramps and accessible washrooms for the differently abled in public spaces, including those of cultural importance. They gave a list of 15 establishments across Mumbai that lack such facilities, including Sterling, Regal and INOX cinemas, Oberoi Hotel, National Gallery for Modern Art, Jade Garden and Aer at Four Seasons Hotel, Worli. Singh argued there was an absence of ramps at polling booths during elections. The judges, though, pointed out that they are temporary as elections are held once in a while. More than at polling booths, there is a need for permanent ramps, they said. “That you are not bothered about,” said the CJ. The judges asked BMC’s advocate that while granting sanction for construction, whether it checks for access to the differently abled along with their wheelchairs. “That you will not answer,” said the CJ. Singh said development control regulations say no occupation certificate can be given to a building unless access is provided to the differently abled. “Most of them make it available. But they block these places. In all public buildings we find that,” said the CJ. The judges also said before an OC is issued, BMC is supposed to record in it that the construction is in conformity with the sanctioned plan. BMC’s advocate sought two weeks to reply specifying if the 15 buildings have such facilities. “We’ll issue notices to them,” he added. “Don’t give thrash reply. There is a law,” said the CJ. At one point, the judges said they would depute a court commissioner to check and verify these establishments. They then said BMC must do the needful within three days and inform it on August 26. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
