Consider Disabled Persons Grievance On Accessibility At Bus Stops Expeditiously: Bombay HC To State Advisory Board

The Bombay High Court on Thursday (April 17) askedhas directed the State Advisory Board On Disability to expeditiously consider the grievances of differently abled people with respect to accessibility at bus stops. 

A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik asked the State Advisory Board to take appropriate action for the redressal of grievances of disabled people. 

The Court was hearing a suo moto petition and a public interest litigation together. The suo moto petition concerned the obstruction caused to disabled people by bollards at the entrance of footpaths. During the last hearing, the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) informed that it had removed all bollards from the entrance of the footpaths. The BMC had stated that in case of any grievances, individuals could approach the Assistant Commissioner of Local Ward Office.

The State government had also submitted that a State Advisory Board On Disability was constituted and an Advisory Board meeting was held, wherein policies benefiting disabled individuals were discussed. 

The PIL sought the implementation of the 'Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment, 2021' concerning bus stops and terminals in Mumbai. As per the guidelines, 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 guidelines further provide for standards with respect to location, bus seats, shelter, etc. 

Today, during the 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. The State also placed on record the minutes of meeting of the State Advisory Board. 

In view of the above, the Court deemed it fit to direct the State Advisory Board to consider the prayers made in the PIL on accessibility at bus stops. It stated that any aggrieved person can approach the State Advisory Board.  

With these observations, the Court disposed of the petitions. 

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

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Bom) 147

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