The Bombay High Court's Kolhapur bench has issued a significant directive to the local civic authorities, demanding strict accountability for road construction and maintenance works in the district. The bench, comprising Justices MS Karnik and Ajit B Kadethankar, has ordered the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the Kolhapur Zilla Parishad (ZP) to submit regular compliance reports to the court.
Court's Directive for Transparency and Accountability
During a hearing on Thursday, the court explicitly instructed both civic bodies to file detailed reports covering all aspects of their ongoing road projects. The judges specified that these reports must include comprehensive information such as the nature of the work—whether it is fresh construction, renovation, or maintenance—the length of the roads being worked on, and the projected time frame for completion.
Furthermore, the bench mandated that the reports detail the mechanism or mode used for the maintenance work, the quality testing procedures in place, and any reports on public grievances regarding the quality of the ongoing projects. The first of these compliance reports is due by the next hearing scheduled for December 11.
PIL Highlights Public Grievances
The court's order came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by six residents of Kolhapur: Uday Narkar, Rasiya Padalkar, Sunita Jadhav, Bharati Pawar, Anil Mane, and Tejaswini Desai. The petitioners had raised serious concerns about the deplorable and unsafe condition of roads in the city and surrounding areas under the jurisdiction of the KMC and ZP.
Their petition contended that the KMC had failed in its duty to construct and maintain roads in a safe, motorable, and serviceable condition. A key allegation was that the corporation failed to adopt proven, scientific, and sustainable methods for repair and maintenance, leading to substandard work and public inconvenience.
Court's Caution and Specific Instructions
The civic bodies informed the court that road maintenance works had already commenced. However, responding to submissions from the petitioners' lawyer, Asim Sarode, regarding potential quality issues, the bench acknowledged the concern. "We appreciate the concern. However, for now we have taken on record that at least the work has been started. We are cautious about the concern raised," the judges stated.
The court also issued specific instructions to minimize public disruption. It directed the KMC to ensure removal of construction material and vehicles like concrete mixers belonging to private parties from roads and sidewalks, as they cause disturbance to traffic and pedestrians. The bench emphasized that both KMC and the Zilla Parishad must cause the minimum possible damage and disturbance to the general public and public transportation while executing the work.
Adding a layer of oversight, the court noted that the KMC Commissioner has decided to personally monitor the promptly undertaken maintenance work. The bench added, "We would, however, expect and would examine that the maintenance/construction work would be of adequate and appropriate quality."
This judicial intervention follows the state government's approval of Rs 100 crore in funds for Kolhapur's road construction in April 2023, with the actual work gaining momentum only recently. The court's order aims to ensure that this significant public investment translates into durable and high-quality infrastructure for the citizens of Kolhapur.
