Kolhapur High Court Orders Resumption of Road Construction Works
The Bombay High Court's Kolhapur bench has issued a directive to the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) to resume and expedite road construction and maintenance works across the city. These essential infrastructure projects had been halted due to the recent election process, causing significant delays and public inconvenience.
PIL Filed Over Deteriorating Road Conditions
According to a senior civic official, the court's directions were issued during a hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Kolhapur-based activists. The PIL highlighted the deteriorating condition of roads in the city, prompting judicial intervention to address the issue promptly.
Court Hearing and Bench Details
The matter was heard on Thursday by a division bench comprising justices R G Avachat and Ajit B Kadethankar. During the proceedings, the lawyer representing the KMC provided assurances to the court regarding the continuation of road works and other related activities.
Assurances and Commitments from KMC
The court order states that the KMC's lawyer assured that road construction and maintenance work would be continued without further interruption and taken to its logical conclusion. Additionally, the lawyer submitted that removal of encroachments, including those on footpaths, would be undertaken with continuous monitoring to prevent recurrence.
The lawyer further emphasized that appropriate measures adopted by the civic body would be implemented for encroachment removal now that the elections are over. The activities of road construction, maintenance, and encroachment removal shall be resumed and expedited, as per the court's directive.
Compliance Reporting Mandated by High Court
The High Court has made it mandatory for the KMC to submit a compliance report during each hearing, detailing the progress of the work. Previously, the civic body could not submit the compliance report in court, citing the recently held elections as the reason for the delay.
Next Steps and Future Hearing
The next date for hearing has been set for February 26, where the KMC is expected to present its first compliance report. This judicial oversight aims to ensure timely completion of road works and encroachment removal, ultimately improving the city's infrastructure and public safety.
