STATE TALKS TOUGH
Public bldgs must be disabled-friendly …….Devraj Dasgupta I TNN
Mumbai: The state government, despite having a law that public buildings should be disabled-friendly, has never followed it on ground. On Monday, the state shot off letters to all the municipal corporations, including Mumbai, to ensure that new public utility buildings are sanctioned after they incorporate facilities necessary for the challenged.
The state government had made it mandatory to have disabled-friendly facilities in public buildings through Section 37/1 of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act in December 2003 after a host of requests from social organisations and court directives. This law was applicable to public utility structures like malls, theatres, hospitals, schools, colleges, bus stops, stations and all government offices.
Unfortunately, the law was seldom implemented. The state government was conscious of this fact.
Against this backdrop, the state urban development department (UDD) on Monday shot off letters to all civic bodies, including A class municipal councils with a population of up to three lakh to implement the law on disabled-friendly structures in toto. The UDD has sought a compliance letter by September 15.
T C Benjamin, principal secretary (UD), confirmed that the government has asked civic bodies to ensure that public buildings have facilities suited for the disabled. Lots of groups have approached us with complaints that few buildings have such facilities despite the law. The letter insists that new building proposals should incorporate features necessary for the handicapped, he said.
Sources said the letter points out that disabledfriendly structures should include ramps of a particular height with rough surfaces at all the entrances. Moreover, these buildings should have broad passages so that the disabled are able to move freely without bumping into others. Special arrangements should also be made in toilets to provide them with support. Lastly, its mandatory for such buildings to have separate lifts reserved specifically for the disabled.
Most developers shy away from giving these additional facilities to save on costs. Just because the disabled are an unorganised lot, violations should not continue, said a UD official.