Chhattisgarh High Court Takes Suo Moto Action on Accessibility Issues in Government Building

Court Directs Public Works Department to Address Lift Malfunctions and Lack of Basic Amenities Affecting Disabled Employees and General Public

In a significant move, the Chhattisgarh High Court has initiated a suo moto public interest litigation concerning severe accessibility challenges and a lack of basic amenities in a composite government building in Bilaspur. The court's intervention follows a critical news report published on November 8, 2025, in "Dainik Bhaskar," highlighting the prolonged non-functioning of lifts in a government building that accommodates 22 departments.

The building, which sees daily footfall of approximately 500 individuals, including around 250 government employees, has been without a functional lift for the past six months. The new lift installation has also faced delays due to incomplete fitting work, causing substantial inconvenience, particularly to disabled employees and pregnant staff members. Among the affected are four disabled employees who are compelled to climb the building's 72 stairs, an arduous task described vividly in the report.

The news article underscored the violation of government mandates requiring operational lifts, ramps, and wheelchair facilities in public buildings. The absence of these facilities, compounded by the lack of temporary arrangements on the ground floor, has spotlighted administrative inefficiency. The report also pointed out the absence of basic amenities like drinking water, forcing employees to purchase bottled water.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the High Court has directed the Secretary of the Public Works Department to submit a personal affidavit. This document must detail the status of lift repairs, reasons for delays, a timeline for making the lifts operational, and measures to ensure accessibility and basic amenities. The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 13, 2025, expecting comprehensive updates on the matter.

The court's proactive stance reflects its commitment to ensuring compliance with accessibility norms and addressing public grievances about essential facilities in government infrastructure.

Bottom Line:

Public Interest Litigation - Accessibility challenges and lack of basic facilities in Government building affecting disabled employees and general public - Directions issued to the concerned authority for filing a personal affidavit detailing the current status of lift repairs, reasons for delays, timeline for operational lifts, and measures to ensure accessibility and availability of basic amenities.

Statutory provision(s): Public Interest Litigation, Accessibility Rights, Government Building Regulations

In the matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation v. State of Chhattisgarh, (Chhattisgarh)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2806221