Cabs should accommodate wheelchairs or assistive devices of persons with disabilities: SC
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday emphasised the need to find ways to assist people with disabilities, and suggested that cab services should be equipped to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices for them.
The observations came from a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, which was hearing a plea regarding first-mile and last-mile connectivity for people with disabilities.
"Now, in larger metros, there are cabs everywhere. Cabs should also be asked to accommodate wheelchairs or assistive devices of these persons," the bench said, proposing the idea of having specific cabs designated for persons with disabilities.
"The apps can have provision for specified cabs which have been accordingly modified for these individuals," the bench said, adding, "We have to find out the ways and means to help them."
The counsel appearing for the petitioner referred to the difficulties faced by people with disabilities while boarding cabs.
"Most cabs are equipped with CNG, which limits space and does not allow for wheelchairs to be transported in the back," the counsel said.
He proposed implementing a universal design similar to what is available in European markets.
"Take the case of a person whose house is, say, one km away from the highway or the main road. He comes on an automated wheelchair. If he doesn't accommodate it in the cab, where does he leave it?" the bench asked the counsel appearing for the Centre.
In response, the Centre's counsel stated that these issues are currently under review by the relevant department. They also informed the bench that a committee had been appointed by the Supreme Court to address a separate petition that raised similar concerns.
The bench observed that the issue raised in this petition could also be considered by that committee.
The petitioner's counsel said that they had a specific case concerning last-mile connectivity, distinct from broader issues.
"That specific issue can also be taken up by the committee, which is already dealing with larger issues," the bench observed.
The petitioner's counsel reminded the court that cabs are now an integral part of public transport.
The Supreme Court has scheduled further hearings on the plea for March 24.
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Bengaluru: Scrap worker held for UPS battery thefts; 51 batteries recovered
Bengaluru: A 38-year-old scrap worker accused of stealing UPS batteries has been arrested by the Parappana Agrahara police for targeting roadside power backup units in Electronic City.
According to The Indian Express, the accused has been identified as Chinnadurai (38), a native of Tamil Nadu. He was apprehended on March 9 from a scrap shop in Vaddarapalya on Koppa Begur Main Road following a tip-off.
Police said the accused targeted roadside power backup units installed for CCTV cameras, streetlights, and traffic signals, disrupting public infrastructure, particularly in Electronic City Phase-2 and Shanthipura Main Road.
The case was originally registered on February 5 after a private company reported the theft of 10 UPS batteries from roadside locations.
During interrogation, Chinnadurai reportedly confessed to carrying out the thefts as a source of livelihood and admitted to similar offences across the city.
The police recovered 51 UPS batteries of various companies and seized an autorickshaw used in the crimes. The total value of the recovered property is estimated at Rs 4 lakh.
“With his arrest, we have detected this case and also solved two other theft cases registered against him in different police stations across the city,” a police officer said.
As per the report, the accused was produced before a court on March 10 and remanded to judicial custody.
The thefts had earlier led to traffic signals going non-functional in Electronic City, raising safety concerns among commuters.
