The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Thursday once again reprimanded the collector for avoiding responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of Zero Milestone. The court’s criticism followed the collector’s suggestion that funds for the project be obtained from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) Heritage Committee account. The collector informed the court that NMC and NIT impose a 2% cess on building plan approvals, which is deposited directly into the Heritage Committee account. Justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri, who make up the division bench, instructed the collector to submit all his recommendations via affidavit by August 13.
The directives were issued during the hearing of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation regarding the neglect of the iconic monument, which has led to its gradual deterioration. Kartik Shukul has been appointed as amicus curiae for the case.
