Overview

• The Bombay High Court has constituted a three-member expert committee chaired by Justice Goda Raghuram to address challenges faced by senior citizens and persons with disabilities at airports.
• The committee will consult stakeholders, including airlines, airport operators, and representatives of disabled travelers, to propose solutions for systemic improvements.
• This action stems from two petitions highlighting a lack of wheelchair availability and mobility support, including a case where an elderly passenger had to forgo her wheelchair for her daughter with arthritis.
• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has existing guidelines mandating mobility assistance, but lapses in implementation, such as a recent fatality at Mumbai airport, prompted judicial intervention.
• The High Court has adjourned the matter to June 30, 2025, when the committee's findings and recommendations are expected to be submitted.