HC raps civic agencies, get more time to repair roads

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Mumbai, Aug 31 (UNI) While granting more time to various agencies for undertaking road repairs in their jurisdiction after the initial deadline expired yesterday, the Bombay High Court, however, rapped the agencies for waking up late in implementing the August 16 order.

A division bench comprising Justices R M Lodha and S A Bobde was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations filed by non-governmental organisations and social activists, bringing to the court's notice, problems of citizens due to bad road conditions.

Following the expiry of the earlier August 16 deadline to complete the road repairs, the court today granted one week more each to the Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation (BMC), Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and Mumbai Port Trust, four weeks to Mumbai Metropolitian Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), and fifteen days to Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to complete the repair and maintainance works.

The court also granted four weeks time to the MSRDC to complete the work of filling up potholes on Ghodbunder Road at Thane.

The court was told by the BMC counsel that from June to August, over 42,000 potholes had been filled and only 133 remained to be mended for which a week's time was required.

Executive engineers of BMC, MMRDA and MSRDC, city engineer of TMC and additional chief engineer of MPT today submitted before the court that they needed some more time to repair the roads.

''It needs no emphasis that in context of the Constitution's provisions, good roads are a right of the citizens under Article 21 (Right to Life) and also a necessity to life. There have to be good roads in reasonable condition for smooth communication,'' Justice Lodha said.

The court held that it is imperative for the agencies like BMC, TMC, MMRDA, MPT, MSRDA and Public Works Department to make available proper roads and there can be no excuses for discharging their obligations.

The court also directed the respective officials to file compliance report immediately after the expiry of the extension period. Also, they were told that the official in charge will be held personally liable if the court directions were not followed.

The case will now come up for further hearing on October 4 after all agencies have submitted their reports.

UNI ARM MAZ VD GC2023

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