‘How dare you waste taxpayers’ money?’

Obstructions due to potholes, poles and kiosks on pavements, especially for the differently-abled, in Delhi University’s North Campus on Tuesday led the Delhi High Court to take civic body officials to task for “criminal negligence”.

‘Extremely distressing’

A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar termed the situation as “extremely distressing” since tactile markings on pavements were “replete with obstructions”, including pillars, hoardings and signboards. The court said, “You have tactile markings on pavements till they hit a tree or a pole. How dare you waste the taxpayers’ money like this?”

It directed the North Delhi Municipal Corporation to give details of its officials who had designed and approved the plans and tenders, selected the contractors and sanctioned payments. The Bench said these obstructions prohibit access to navigation for any pedestrian, let alone those who are visually impaired. “... If this is what statutory authorities do, how can one blame the citizens?” the Bench said.

It asked the North body to map facilities available for the differently-abled in its jurisdiction and listed the matter for January 11. The court was hearing a PIL.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/obstruction-of-tactile-paths-in-du-draws-hc-ire/article20446857.ece