Mumbai, Apr 22 (UNI) In a significant development over difficulties faced by senior citizens and specially-abled persons at airports, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday appointed a three-member expert committee, headed by retired Andhra Pradesh High Court judge Justice Goda Raghuram (also an ex-Director of the National Judicial Academy), to examine all issues faced by them related to wheelchair and other facilities.

The panel will also consist of consumer activist Shirish Deshpande (chairman of Mumbai Grahak Panchayat) and a senior official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The committee was formed by a division bench, comprising Justices G S Kulkarni and Advait Sethna, during the hearing of two petitions -- one filed by a senior citizen and her daughter, and another by a 53-year-old man, highlighting the non-availability of wheelchairs and other necessary amenities at Mumbai International Airport.

The bench in its order said that the committee will have recommendatory and not an adversarial role and it was for the DGCA to finally consider the panel's recommendations and make an appropriate decision as per law.

Earlier, during the hearing, the bench had criticised the inadequate facilities for senior citizens and specially-abled persons at airports across the country.

The court had directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), airport operators and airline companies should take preventive measures so that “no senior citizens, specially-abled and ailing persons suffer for want of wheelchairs” at airports.

The court said heavy penalties will be imposed on stakeholders concerned to avoid agony and trauma for such travellers and all required facilities should be provided by them to ensure that India leads the world by example.

UNI AAA SS