The has issued notice in a public interest litigation seeking proper maintenance of accessible airport infrastructure for persons with disabilities, including tactile pathways, Braille signage, accessible seating, and priority check-in. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana called for responses from the , the , the , the , and the .
The PIL, filed by Turab Chimthanawala, challenges what it describes as a "" on the part of these authorities to enforce and operationalize existing accessibility standards governing civil aviation. The petition argues that despite a comprehensive statutory and regulatory framework, there is a complete absence of a proper monitoring mechanism to ensure implementation.
PIL Alleges Systemic Failure Across Aviation Infrastructure
Chimthanawala's petition specifically points to the non-implementation of the Accessibility Standards and Guidelines for Civil Aviation 2022, Rule 15(1)(f) of the
, and the Civil Aviation Requirements titled
"Carriage by Air—Persons with Disability (Divyangjan) and/or Persons with Reduced Mobility"
(PRM-CAR) issued by the
. The petitioner claims these standards remain largely on paper, with no effective oversight.
The petition highlights numerous specific failures: inaccessible airport infrastructure, lack of accessible signage and navigation systems, absence of accessible digital and biometric systems such as DigiYatra, inaccessible booking and check-in systems, improper handling of mobility aids, lack of trained personnel, coercive or inappropriate assistance practices, and the absence of dignified and accessible screening and immigration procedures.
"These failures constitute a continuing violation of statutory mandates as well as the
of PwDs,"
the petition states.
State's to Ensure Equal Access
The petitioner seeks enforcement of the of persons with disabilities, including their , which he argues is an integral part of Articles 14 (equality before law), 19(1)(d) (freedom of movement), and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution. The petition avers that the State and its instrumentalities have a "" to ensure that public infrastructure and services are usable by persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.
The lack of a monitoring mechanism is at the heart of the grievance. According to the petition, while the regulatory framework exists, there is no body or procedure to check whether airports and airlines are complying with the accessibility mandates. This systemic gap has led to a situation where reported violations go unaddressed, and persons with disabilities continue to face barriers at every stage of air travel.
The petition, drawn by advocates , , , and , and filed through Advocate-on-Record , urges the court to direct the authorities to establish an effective monitoring system and ensure that all airport infrastructure and services are brought into compliance within a specified timeframe.
Next Steps and Potential Impact
By issuing notice, the Supreme Court has set the stage for a detailed examination of the accessibility framework for civil aviation in India. The respondents, including the and the , are now required to file their responses. The case is expected to be taken up for further hearing in the coming weeks.
Legal experts note that the outcome could have significant implications for how disability access is monitored and enforced across not only aviation but potentially other public infrastructure as well. The Supreme Court's involvement may compel the government to create a robust compliance mechanism, moving beyond mere guidelines to actual implementation.
For the community of persons with disabilities, the case represents a crucial step toward ensuring that air travel—a vital mode of transportation—is truly accessible. The PIL underscores that without enforceable standards and accountable oversight, remain abstract promises.
airport accessibility - disability rights - systemic failure - PIL notice - fundamental rights
