Members of the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) have begun a survey of all government buildings, as per High Court directives, to check if they are barrier-free and convenient for the differently-abled.

The IIA has begun surveying 29 buildings of Public Works Department (PWD) including Deshpande Hall, MLA Hostel and PWD chief engineer's office in Civil Lines. This was confirmed by executive engineer TP Rathod who said, "The survey is being conducted as per HC directives to check if government buildings have been made barrier-free as per GR. Most of our buildings have been surveyed. Most have ramps for the handicapped."

A source from IIA said that they have also demanded a list of buildings owned by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and a similar survey will be conducted in those too. "The survey will help us find out if the buildings have followed the norms and made necessary corrections," said a source.

PN Andhare, a differently-abled scientist from the city, through his counsel Trupti Udeshi who is also physically handicapped, had filed a plea in this regard. The petitioner, who is 80% disabled, had filed the PIL through an NGO Indradhanu praying for compliance of Maharashtra government resolution of 2005 which mandated facilities for disabled. Secretary of Indradhanu Prakash Sohoni is another petitioner. IIA too was made a respondent in the PIL.

Sohoni said, "HC asked IIA on March 18 to conduct the survey. It will also study malls, cinema halls and public buildings. The survey has to be completed in three months. We want all the important public buildings in Nagpur to be barrier-free. Some buildings have the facilities for the disabled while some do not."

Pointing out several lacunae on roads and footpaths, the petitioners claimed they were laid in a way that it became difficult for both the disabled and the elderly to move while encroachments on all footpaths created obstacles in movement.