The Hindu Business Line : `New Delhi building bylaws have loopholes'

Jindal Saw MD said that though she was heartened to note that `accessibility' had been included in the building bylaws, which clearly stated that all buildings should provide adequate access to persons with disabilities, there were certain clear and present loopholes in the bylaws.

New Delhi , June 20

The New Delhi building bylaws have many loopholes pertaining to accessibility for differently abled persons, according to a review done by `Swayam', a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of Jindal Saw Ltd (JSAW), which aims at promoting self-reliance amongst people with disabilities.

Ms Sminu Jindal, Managing Director, JSAW, said, "There should be dignity for reduced mobility. Reduced mobility does not necessarily refer to a person with physical disability; it could be a pregnant woman, an old person or a person suffering from arthritis among others."

She also said that though she was heartened to note that `accessibility' had been included in the building bylaws, which clearly stated that all buildings should provide adequate access to persons with disabilities, there were certain clear and present loopholes in the bylaws.

To sensitise the public and the Government bodies about these issues as well as the problems that people with restricted mobility face on a day-to-day basis, a programme called `Saksham' has been developed. Ms Shivani Gupta, Project Manager, Saksham, said that they oppose the bylaws on three counts: According to them, to enable access to them the architects of the building should conform to the standards published by the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Disabilities (CCD). Also, an Accessibility Report prepared by the architect should be submitted along with the application for `Building Permit' using the format determined by the Office of CCD and that the Office of CCD is expected to certify the architects for the construction on the basis of his competency. According to Saksham, there is neither any format available for attaining the `Building Permit' nor is there any specific standard determined by the Office of CCD.

Ms Gupta said that they have highlighted these problem areas and have made recommendations to the Ministry of Urban Development to compile a `Minimum standards for urban development', that would be applicable to the entire country. Also that they have made recommendations to the Lt Governor, Office of CCD, to consider the post of an `Access Inspector', who would give a clearance before the building certificate is granted.

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