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Delhi High Court: Ensure city buses are disabled-friendly

The court then directed the AAP-led government to give a status report in this regard, fixing the next date of hearing on November 14

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The Delhi High Court (HC) on Wednesday directed the Delhi government to ensure that every mode of public transport in the national Capital was easily accessible to the disabled.

The observation was made by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Harishankar while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), which challenged the proposed purchase of 2,000 standard-floor buses for the city.

While issuing the notice, the bench also enquired whether the government could put the procurement process of these buses on hold. The court then directed the AAP-led government to give a status report in this regard, fixing the next date of hearing on November 14.

"Delhi should be a path-breaker. Ensure every mode of public transport is disabled-friendly. You buy 30,000 buses if you want to, but let them be disabled-friendly. You need to be more progressive," the bench said, adding" "Why not put on hold the acquisition process."

Appearing for the Delhi government, its counsel Sanjoy Ghosh requested the court to not pass such an order as the need for more buses was felt in the wake of Metro fare hike, which has affected thousands of commuters.

The PIL was moved by Nipun Malhotra, a person suffering from locomotor disability. He challenged the Delhi government's move to procure 2,000 standard-floor buses at a cost of Rs 300 crore. The plea contended that the standard-floor buses have higher steps and are not equipped for wheelchair access and thus, would "directly and substantially affect" nearly 2.34 lakh disabled persons in the national Capital.

It added that the government had shown "insensitivity" towards the disabled persons as they were not consulted prior to taking the decision to procure the buses.

BACKGROUND

  • The PIL was moved by Nipun Malhotra, a person suffering from locomotor disability

 

  • He challenged the Delhi government’s move to procure 2,000 standard-floor buses at a cost of Rs 300 crore.

 

  • The plea contended that the standard-floor buses have higher steps and are not equipped for wheelchair access
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