The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court slammed the officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) over the poor condition of various roads in Nagpur, notably the stretch between Wadi Gurudwara and Wadi Police Station. The court expressed deep concern over the lack of road maintenance, questioning the commitment of PWD officials and contractors to public safety. The High Court highlighted the potential contempt action against responsible officials for submitting ‘false’ affidavits regarding road upkeep. Summoning the Chief Engineer of PWD for a personal appearance on March 6, the court emphasized the urgency of addressing deteriorating road conditions in the city.
During the hearing presided over by Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri, the court demanded accountability and transparency from PWD officials, expressing dissatisfaction over their absence. The court also sought clarification on the environmental impact of recent road works, particularly regarding tree felling and traffic disruptions. Additionally, it directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to address service road issues on several highways in Nagpur.
The High Court’s firm stance against PWD’s alleged noncompliance underscores the seriousness of the situation. The court’s directives include completing roadwork and removing obstacles hindering traffic flow, as well as addressing concerns raised in a pending Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding damaged service roads and disruptions caused by local markets and hawkers. This proactive approach reflects the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring the well-being and safety of the public amidst infrastructure challenges.
Adv Deepak Thakre and Adv Neeraj Patil represented the State, Adv Firdos Mirza appeared for the petitioner while Adv Anish Kathane represented NHAI. The High Court has set a deadline of March 31 for the Project Director of NHAI to submit a progress report on road works.