Over 500 buildings to be disabled-friendly

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government’s ’s Public Works Department (PWD) has set December 2019 as deadline to make over 500 buildings managed by it accessible to differently abled people, a notification issued by the department said.

Disabled-friendly buildings would have infrastructure that includes ramps, railings and accessible washrooms, along with trained staff to help the needy. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 mandates that the government has to ensure that those with disability get barrier-free access in infrastructure and transport systems.

The PWD constructs public buildings, including government offices, hospitals, schools, among others.

A notification dated October 18 said that there are 560 public utility buildings, which are managed by the PWD in the city, and out of which 375 buildings -including 14 hospitals -- have been audited till October 10, 2018.

There are 126 partly disabledfriendly buildings maintained by the PWD in the city.

“Construction work in the 14 hospital buildings for changes to make them disabled-friendly is in progress. Three buildings have been newly constructed with the provision for accessibility for disabled persons.