While observing that the caused raised in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is redressed, the Bombay High Court deferred the hearing of the PIL petition to 8 November 2023, seeking direction to the Respondent No.1 (Adani Airport Holdings Ltd) to display banner/hoarding/sign boarding using Marathi and Hindi Language Script at par with the English language in equal font size & prominence.
The affidavit is tendered on behalf of the Respondent No.2- Mumbai International Airport Limited, wherein it is stated on oath as under: –
“8. I say that all the display boards, information boards and sign boards at the Mumbai Airport have the information written in (i) Hindi, (ii) regional language i.e., Marathi and (iii) global language i.e., English. I say that MIAL has so far not received any complaints from passengers about the non-visibility of any of the fonts. I say that it is not the case of the Petitioner that the display and information boards do not contain information in regional languages. I say that the boards are so designed that the fonts of all the languages are easily visible and accessible to passengers visiting Mumbai Airport.
- I say that the scope of work is very large and would take considerable time to implement the same all over Mumbai Airport without compromising on quality. I say that Mumbai Airport has a significant number of display boards, information boards, sign boards which cannot be changed overnight. I say that MIAL is in the process of conducting meetings with the technical department, design department and various other departments to implement uniform font in all the languages on the display boards without compromising on the quality.
- I further say that the signages are to be replaced on around 40 lakhs Sq.ft. of land. There are some areas which are undergoing development work to enhance passenger experience and accommodate the growing passenger demands. The installation of the new signages require detailed structural, drawing and material specifications keeping in mind the interior locations and exterior locations. Once the aforementioned decisions are finalized, the signages can be replaced with the new ones. I say that MIAL have also placed a Service Order with one TATA ELXSI Limited for uniform Airport signage and wayfinding at the Airport and the work is estimated to be completed by March 2024.”
The counsel for the Respondent No.2 states that it is correct that the font size of signage for all languages should be in uniform size and all efforts are being made to bring the signages in different languages on par. The affidavit states that, however it would take some time to complete the same without compromising on the quality and without causing inconvenience to the passengers. It is stated that the Respondent No.2 is putting its best efforts to utilize uniform font size at Mumbai Airport and endeavours to complete the extensive work as soon as possible.
The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Arif S. Doctor defer the hearing of this PIL petition to 8 November 2023, by which date the High Court expected the substantial work would be undertaken.