HC approves disabled-friendly bus

Chennai, Dec 1 (UNI) Madras High Court today gave its nod for introducing specially designed buses for the physically challenged.

After inspecting the two buses, which were brought to the High Court premises by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Mr Justice K Chandru directed the MTC to make minor changes. It said the buses could ply after the court passed orders after ten days.

Initially, Rajiv Rajan, a handicapped person, filed a Public Interest Litigation seeking to implement the Persons With Disablities (equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act in its spirit by providing user-friendly transport access and barrier-free environment in public places. The Bench then directed MTC to manufacture a specially designed disabled-friendly bus.

Following this, the MTC manufactured a bus with special facilities for the disabled and produced it before the Bench in 2005. However, not satisfied, the bench directed the MTC to provide more facilities.

Accordingly, the MTC produced two Hi-Tech Low Floor Air Suspension Coach buses with a wheel chair-accessible entrance. A demo was conducted with a handicapped girl in front of the judges and in the presence of State Social Welfare Minister Dr Poonkothai.

After the demo, the girl complained that the hydraulic steps were slippery and there was no grip. The MTC gave an assurance that this defect would be sorted out within couple of days.

Following this, the bench said it would post further hearing of the case after ten days and meanwhile MTC should make the change and report before the court. The MTC should also conduct a trial with some handicapped persons in the field, the Bench added. UNI XR AA MSJ KN1917