The Bombay High Court on Tuesday sharply criticized the state government for the lack of wheelchair accessibility on city footpaths, highlighted by the problematic installation of poles and bollards that obstruct passage. The division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre, demanded swift action to resolve these barriers which they noted thwart the intended safety measures for differently abled individuals.
The court’s directive came after advocate Jamshed Mistry brought attention to the difficulties faced by wheelchair users through an email from Shivaji Park resident Karan Sunil Shah. Shah, who is differently abled, detailed how the closely spaced poles made it impossible for wheelchairs to navigate the footpaths. In response, the court took suo moto cognizance of the issue in September 2023 and appointed Mistry as the amicus curiae, further issuing a notice to both the municipal corporation and the Maharashtra government.
Despite the establishment of an advisory board under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, aimed at addressing such issues, the court noted with concern that the board had yet to convene a meeting. The state’s counsel proposed a new meeting date during the session, which the bench found unsatisfactory, highlighting the board’s continued non-functionality.
In July 2024, the court had already observed the non-operational status of the board and its failure to alleviate the hardships faced by disabled citizens, a situation it described as a deprivation of their rights. The state’s representative, advocate Abhay Patki, assured the court that the board was now fully functional and scheduled to meet in February 2025.
The upcoming meeting is expected to focus on several critical issues, including medical examinations and workshops for differently abled individuals, with a primary agenda item being the formulation of strategies to enhance footpath accessibility for wheelchair users.
