The Bombay high court has given the state govt 48 hours to take steps to instal thermal scanners and deploy medical teams at Pune and Nagpur airports where passengers from Ebola-affected countries arrive.
A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and Girish Kulkarni said: “Considering the seriousness of the matter, provide health screening facilities (for passengers) on par with that provided by the Central gov at Mumbai international airport.”
The court gave the directive after hearing a public interest litigation filed by activist Ketan Tirodkar.
The petitioner wants the court to ask the Union home ministry to issue a notice to Mumbai international airport, instructing it to prevent passengers arriving from West African countries from alighting from their aircraft.
Counsel Rui Rodrigues, appearing for the Union govt, submitted an additional affidavit by Dr VL Golak, senior regional director, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, stating that necessary steps had been taken to ensure that passengers coming from affected countries are thoroughly checked before they enter the city.
Rodrigues said: “Many foreign countries rely on passenger health cards and details received from exiting airports. But India has taken a huge stride forward, taking extra steps to avoid any outbreak of Ebola virus in the country.”
The bench, accepting the affidavit, noted: “We are of the view that the Union govt has taken highly equipped measures.”
The court was informed that the ministry had written to the Maharashtra govt to set up health screening centres in Pune and Nagpur airports.
Advocate Molina Thakhur, appearing for the state, said the communication from the Union govt had been forwarded to the directorate of Medical Education and Research, and it was being actively considered.
To which the court said: “If you (state) take delayed steps then you know the consequences. Thus, even without having the order of the court, the state should
set up the facilities relying on the true copies of the affidavit of Dr Golak; and the govt pleader should convey the court order to the concerned authority.”
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