The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has requested a response from the Municipal Commissioner regarding the failure to address illegal constructions and regulate parking by hospitals and commercial establishments in the Dharampeth, Ramdaspeth, and Dhantol areas. Additionally, the court has issued a show cause notice to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) asking why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them for their failure to provide necessary information on traffic management efforts.
Justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri of the Division Bench issued the directives during the hearing of two long-pending Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by Dhantoli Nagrik Mandal. These PILs, which have been unresolved for seven to twelve years, focus on issues stemming from illegal constructions, particularly by hospitals, and the regulation of parking in the Dharampeth, Ramdaspeth, and Dhantoli areas, with oversight from the Traffic police.
In its recent order dated June 28, 2024, the High Court has directed both the Municipal Corporation and the Traffic Police to submit affidavits outlining the measures they have taken to tackle the problems of illegal constructions and traffic management. The Municipal Commissioner has submitted an affidavit outlining the actions taken against offenders, which includes issuing notices under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966.
However, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the apparent lack of tangible progress in implementing these measures. It underscored a perceived lack of initiative from certain municipal officers and cautioned against submitting affidavits merely as a formality without actual enforcement of the Court’s orders.
Particularly concerning was the response from the Deputy Commissioners of Dhantoli and Laxmi Nagar zones, who allowed illegal constructions to persist based on promises from the violators. In light of these findings, the Court has instructed the Municipal Commissioner to provide a response by the next date of hearing on June 19. Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Nagpur, has been issued a show cause notice as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them for failing to provide relevant information on traffic management efforts. Adv A C Dharmadhikari and Ashwin Deshpande represented the petitioner, while AGP D P Thakre and Adv S M Puranik represented the respondents.