the goan I network
PANAJI
Access for the differently-abled to Junta House is in a state of disrepair, creating a huge hassle for at least ten employees of various offices of Junta House with locomotor disability, including one employee using a wheelchair.
As such, Raj Vaidya, a concerned citizen, on Thursday wrote to the principal chief engineer of the PWD requesting him to take cognisance of the same, and initiate action.
Vaidya wrote to the PWD as he found out that Junta House Building is supposed to be maintained by the PWD.
“The above mentioned employees are forced to use the steps to enter the building which puts them through a lot of unnecessary difficulty. The person on the wheelchair has to be lifted up the steps leading into the building, because both the access points have become inaccessible,” lamented Vaidya.
Attaching pictures of the entry-point on the west side of the building for the differently-abled, Vaidya pointed out that though there is an access point, it is “name-sake” and there are several obstructions, including overgrowth of vegetation and garbage along the way.
Vaidya pointed out, “The access is partly blocked, the path leading to the inside of the building is inaccessible for 3 and 4 wheelers, and the railings for the disabled to hold and walk are in bad shape.”
Including a parking slot for the differently-abled which is perpetually blocked by government vehicles, Vaidya pointed out that all of the above were gross violations of the rights of the differently-abled people.
He therefore asked the Chief Engineer to see that the entrances that are obstructed be made accessible as per the norms at the earliest.
A copy of his letter was sent to the Disability Commissioner, the MLA of Panjim, the Commissioner and Mayor of Panjim, the Chief Secretary, the Secretary of Social Welfare, the CEO and MD of Smart City, the DySP, Traffic (North), the DGP, the Collector of North Goa, and the President of the Disability Rights Association of Goa.
