Madras HC orders new buildings to have disabled friendly amenities

The Madras High Court yet again held on Monday that no new public buildings should be constructed or sanctioned or planned without providing access to persons with disabilities. Sanjib Banerjee, the First Bench of Chief Justice and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, who gave the ruling, also said that the respondents, specifically the Public Works Department and its officials, should be familiar with the governing statute and therefore the national building code to make sure the mandatory instructions are fully adhered to. The Bench was also passing interim orders on a PIL petition on the issue. It noted that the status report filed did not indicate whether persons with disabilities can access the public buildings across the State. It is necessary that all public buildings, including courthouses, must have access that persons with disabilities may use. Additionally, the Bench said that the toilets must also be installed in public buildings which persons with disabilities may use. The Bench called for a more detailed report when the matter comes up again since the status report filed did not indicate the measures taken or the number of buildings where access for persons with disabilities has been provided and posted the matter on September 13. Image Source Also read: Runwal Homes to pay Rs 69 lakh as interest for late possession Also read: UP RERA has decided to organise National Lok Adalat on July 10