The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday came down heavily on the authorities over complaints related to the city’s concrete roads, observing that it was unfortunate that citizens were still grappling with basic road infrastructure issues even 75 years after Independence.
The observations were made by a division bench of Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Justice Nivedita Mehta while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social organisation Janmanch. The petition has questioned the quality and execution of concrete road projects undertaken across Nagpur.
During the hearing, the court noted that Nagpur is known as a metro city, but asked what purpose the municipal corporation serves if the roads fail to match metropolitan standards. The bench further remarked that residents had not received justice on the issue from the civic administration.
In its petition, Janmanch alleged that the level of several concrete roads had been raised, causing rainwater to flow into adjoining residential properties. It also claimed that concrete was laid over scraped asphalt roads without proper treatment, leading to cracks in the newly built roads.
The PIL further alleged poor drainage planning, stating that newly constructed roads were being dug up repeatedly for pipeline-related works.
The petitioner also highlighted the deteriorating quality of paver blocks, use of fly ash resulting in exposed aggregates and dust pollution, absence of proper road markings and defective manhole covers that have turned into safety hazards after breaking. Advocate Mrinal Chakravarty appeared for the petitioner.
NIT, MahaMetro reject claims
The Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and MahaMetro, however, denied the allegations through affidavits filed before the court. Appearing for both agencies, Advocate Girish Kunte submitted that all concrete road works were carried out strictly in accordance with prescribed norms and technical standards.
The High Court indicated that it may order an independent assessment of the quality of Nagpur’s concrete roads. It asked the petitioner to suggest the name of an expert who could assist in the exercise and posted the matter for further hearing on June 22.
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