The Madras High Court seeks clarity on inclusive buildings

First bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, noted that the report by the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, referred only to ‘ramp and hand rails’, while the norms in the handbook refer to various aspects involving barrier free and accessibility. 

Posting the case for compliance to March 11, the bench said “We are of the view that necessary exercise should be undertaken by Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, in consultation with the CPWD, the State PWD and the Amicus Curiae so that we have a clear plan of action as to how the building will be verified and to what extent they can be made disabled friendly.” 

The bench also directed the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities to hold a meeting in this regard within the next 10 days to ensure that a final picture is placed before the next hearing. 

The additional facilities in the handbook included a tactile guiding path, modified floor space, emergency call bell and push button in toilets, obligatory design requirements in bathrooms and shower compartments, signage for persons with hearing impairment, Braille and tactile sign, illumination, switches and controls and public telephones. 

The status report of the action taken by the respective department pertained largely to ramps and rails. Out of the 2802 building under Chennai Corporation 1555 building are already with ramps and 304 building don’t need ramp while efforts are on to complete the same in the remaining 943 buildings.