HC displeased over no disability audit by AAP govt, DDA

The Delhi High Court today expressed displeasure with the AAP government and DDA for not taking steps to carry out an audit of the disabled friendliness of their buildings, despite repeated orders.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar asked the authorities to avail the services of the petitioner, who suffers from a locomotor disability, and his NGO for carrying out the audit.

It asked petitioner 29-year old Nipun Malhotra to also facilitate training of all officials of these authorities at all levels so that they are sensitised towards the needs of persons with disabilities and special needs.

The bench said every authority will ensure that each of its officials undergo the training and expressed hope that the national capital will soon be completely disabled friendly.

Apart from the AAP government and Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Delhi Metro too had not carried out a disability audit of its premises, especially its 10 interchange stations, it noted.

The court directed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to complete the work within four weeks and listed the matter for further hearing on April 19.

Similar orders were given to other local bodies which are yet to carry out a disability audit.

The bench directed the petitioner to carry out random inspections where an authority has claimed it has carried out the audit and made necessary modifications to make their buildings more accessible for disabled persons.

The court was hearing Malhotra's PIL, filed through advocate Jai Dehadrai, claiming that most public facilities in the national capital were not disabled friendly. The petitioner has sought directions to make the capital's roads, government offices and public transport friendly for the disabled people.

The government is expected to ensure non-discrimination in public transport, rail compartments, buses, vessels, aircraft and waiting rooms in such a way so as to make them comfortably accessible to the physically challenged persons, the petition has said.