The Allahabad High Court recently took a significant step in strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities by directing the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) to ensure its officers are adequately sensitized to the statutory obligations under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. The case emerged from a Public Interest Litigation filed by two disability rights organizations—All India Confederation of the Blind and the National Association of the Visually Handicapped—who alleged that UPSRTC failed to implement basic accessibility measures on buses, severely limiting mobility for visually impaired passengers.
The petitioners detailed that UPSRTC buses lacked essential features such as low-floor entry, level platforms, Braille and audio signage, and trained personnel to assist visually impaired commuters. They argued that these shortcomings directly violated statutory mandates contained in Sections 3 and 41 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, as well as Rule 15 of the associated 2017 Rules. Despite raising the issue with UPSRTC through multiple representations and a formal legal notice earlier in the year, the petitioners felt the response from the corporation was inadequate and largely symbolic, falling short of any fundamental improvements in accessibility infrastructure.
In its deliberations, the High Court underscored that compliance with the RPWD Act is not optional but mandatory for public bodies. The Act requires services to be designed in a universally accessible manner—enabling persons with disabilities to participate fully and independently in public life. With transport being a lifeline for societal inclusion, the absence of necessary accommodations such as tactile and audio cues or physical design modifications impinged upon the fundamental right to equality and dignity.
The Court emphasized that a public body like UPSRTC carries not just a legal duty but also a moral responsibility to facilitate equal access. The mere acknowledgement of the problem, as communicated by UPSRTC’s Additional Managing Director, did not meet the statutory standard. Instead, a proactive, comprehensive plan of action was necessary—one acknowledging the needs of disabled commuters and integrating them into the corporation’s operational and training frameworks.
To that end, the High Court ordered UPSRTC to immediately initiate a sensitization programme for its district and zonal officers. This program is to include training modules on legal obligations under the RPWD Act, guidance on best practices for infrastructural accessibility, and instruction in handling and assisting passengers with disabilities. Officers are to be instructed on both physical adjustments—like raised platforms at bus stops, priority seating arrangements, and audio-visual aids in vehicles—as well as soft-skills training on disability awareness, courteous assistance, and communication with visually impaired passengers.
Further, the Court mandated that UPSRTC submit a detailed compliance report setting out the steps taken within a specified timeframe. This plan must include timetables for infrastructure upgrades, training schedules, method of certification for trained personnel, and periodic internal audits to ensure sustainability and continued vigilance. The Court’s direction serves as an early warning: failure to comply with these obligations could prompt further judicial intervention or contempt proceedings.
This order marks a watershed in enforcing disability rights in the context of public transport in Uttar Pradesh. It emphasizes that inclusion is not aspirational but enforceable; societal access must be designed into public infrastructure from the ground up. The High Court’s directive stresses that sensitization of officials is as essential as the physical adjustments themselves—without awareness and accountability at every level, even well-designed policies can fall short. By focusing on both infrastructure and human response, the Court affirmed a holistic vision of accessibility, centered on the lived experience of disabled passengers.
Ultimately, this ruling elevates the discourse around rights of persons with disabilities from passive legal text to active, operational commitment. UPSRTC’s compliance will not only benefit visually impaired travelers but also set a benchmark for other state transport agencies. In mandating training, structural changes, and oversight, the Court reaffirmed that accessibility is a collective responsibility and that public service must be inclusive, equitable, and sensitive to the needs of all citizens.
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