CHANDIGARH: Haryana Government has made amendments in the Haryana Municipal Building Bye-Laws,1982 to make  provisions and facilities in all the public buildings which are convenient to the
physically handicapped persons. These bye laws will not apply to private and public residences.

In a notification issued to this effect, it has been made mandatory to describe the level of roads, access paths and parking areas in the plan along with the specification of the materials for the convenience of handicapped persons in the public buildings.

As per the notification, the provision of access path and walk ways for the handicapped persons had to be made in such a way so that they have an easy approach to the buildings. Access path from plot entry and surface parking to building entrance should have even surface without any steps. Slope, if any, should have gradient greater than five per cent. Selection of floor material should be made suitably to attract to guide visually impaired persons. Such floor material should be used which emit different sounds to guide visually impaired persons. Finishes should have a non-slip surface with a texture traversable by a wheel hair and curbs wherever provided should blend to a common level.

As per the notification, the provisions for parking of vehicles of handicapped people would have to be made in the buildings. Parking for two car spaces would have to be provided near entrance for them with minimum travel distance of 30 meters from the building. Information that space is reserved for wheel chair users would be prominently displayed in the parking space.

The other building requirements for the physically handicapped included approach to plinth level, ramped approach, stepped approach, exit and entrance door.  Every building should have atleast one entrance accessible to the handicapped which should be indicated by proper signage. This entrance should be approached through a ramp together with the stepped entry.  Ramp should be finished with non-slip material and a provision of handrail on both sides of ramped as well as stepped approach had to be made. Entrance landing should be provided adjacent to the ramp.

As per bye-laws, provision of atleast one lift should be made for the wheel chair user, wherever lift is required. One special water closet in a set of toilets should be provided for the use of handicapped with essential provision of wash basin near the entrance for them. Similarly suitable provision of drinking water should be made for the handicapped near the special toilet provided for them.