In a move that will bring much needed succour to differently abled individuals’ plea for better accessibility at bus stops, the Bombay High Court has directed the State Advisory Board On Disability to promptly address grievances raised by them and take “appropriate action for the redressal of grievances of disabled people’’.

A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik instructed the dvisory Board after the hearing a combination of a suo moto petition and a Public interest litigation (PIL).

The suo moto matter focused on the barriers caused by bollards at the entrances of footpaths, which obstructed access for disabled individuals.

In the previous hearing, the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) informed the Court that “it had removed all bollards from the entrance of the footpaths.” The BMC further mentioned that those with grievances could bring them to the attention of the Assistant Commissioner of the Local Ward Office.

The State government also informed the Court that a State Advisory Board On Disability had been constituted and that a meeting of the Board had taken place to discuss “policies benefiting disabled individuals.”

The PIL called for the implementation of the 'Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment, 2021,’ focussing primarily on accessibility at bus stops and terminals in Mumbai.

These guidelines stipulate that “at least one accessible route should be provided from the alighting and boarding point of the bus stand to the walkway that leads to the accessible building entrance.”

The document also includes specifications of features like bus seat design, shelter placement, and location standards.

During the current hearing, the BMC reiterated that “all bollards at the entrance of footpaths which were causing obstructions and were inaccessible to the differently able have been removed.” Additionally, the State submitted the minutes from the Advisory Board’s meeting.

Taking note of the whole issue, the Court instructed the State Advisory Board to consider the concerns raised in the PIL regarding bus stop accessibility. It also clarified that “any aggrieved person can approach the State Advisory Board.”

Accordingly, the Court concluded the matter and disposed of both petitions.

Case title: High Court of Judicature at Bombay on its own Motion vs. MCGM and Anr SMP No. 3 of 2023 & Access to Hope vs. Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport & Ors., PIL No. 54 of 2024