Find whether there is an alternative to wall: HC to state

Mumbai, Jan 16 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today asked the State Government whether there was any alternative to the wall, constructed after encroaching half of the main road, to safeguard the Siddhivinayak Temple here in Dadar from any possible terrorist attack.

A division bench, comprising Justices Bilal Nazki and Sharad Bobade, also asked whether the State Government had consulted the security and intelligence agencies before constructing the wall. The Court had asked both the state and the Temple Trust to submit their say in the matter on affidavits.

Some residents in locality of the Siddhivinayak Temple have moved to the High Court against the construction of the wall, which had eaten out major portion of the main road and blocked direct access for their buildings.

During the hearing on their Public Interest Litigation, Advocate General (AG) Ravi Kadam today informed the Court that there had been specific information from intelligence agencies and in light of that the wall in question was constructed.

Pointing out provisions from the BMC Act which gives authority to the Corporation to close a road, the AG said the required procedure had been followed.

UNI XR NM JT RAI1923