HC issues notice to Mah govt in Metro Rail PIL

Mumbai, July 26 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today issued a notice to the Maharashtra Government to show cause as to why a public interest litigation filed by Brigadier P V Gole and six others cannot be admitted in court.

The PIL came up for hearing before a division bench comprising Justices R M Lodha and N H Patil alleging that the plan of the state for Metro Rail in Mumbai indicated use of a standard guage system despite the Railway Ministry's advice not to, as it was unsafe.

The petitioner's counsel contended the court that all the Metro Rail plans across the country were using the broad guage system.

Also, Karnataka was declined permission for standard guage system for Bangalore by the Railway Ministry.

The court was also told that the plans were being regulated under the Tramway Act and not the Railway Act. Further, the court was also told that while the Railway Act was under the jurisdiction of the Central Government, the Tramway Act came under the state government.

Praying that the Mumbai Metro should have the broad guage system, the petitioner contended that it was an issue cancerning the safety norms that had to be adopted for the city's long term benefit.

The case will come up for further arguement on August 24.

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