The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday expressed strong displeasure over the failure of authorities to provide a permanent solution for the drainage of stagnant dirty water on Mandawara Road in Hindaun City, despite earlier court directions.
Court Orders Personal Appearance
Justice Anuroop Singhi ordered the Karauli district collector, the commissioner of Hindaun City Municipal Council, and the executive engineer of the Public Works Department to appear personally before the court on May 7. The directions came during a hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Girraj Prasad.
Unsatisfactory Affidavits
During the hearing, separate affidavits were submitted by the collector and the municipal commissioner. However, the court found them unsatisfactory and observed that instead of resolving the issue, the authorities were “shifting responsibility onto each other.”
The court also noted a technical issue contributing to the problem — a mismatch between the drainage level and the main sewer line, resulting in persistent waterlogging in the area. “The drainage and main sewer are not properly aligned, causing water to stagnate in the area,” the court observed.
Petitioner's Submissions
Counsel for the petitioner, Vijay Pathak, submitted that thousands of residents are facing hardship due to the accumulation of dirty water on the main road. “Despite repeated complaints by local residents, no effective action was taken, prompting the filing of the PIL before the High Court,” he said.
Background of the Case
Earlier, on October 13, the court sought detailed responses from the authorities and directed the collector and municipal commissioner to file separate affidavits outlining the work done so far and proposing a permanent solution to the drainage issue.
Subsequently, on March 24, the court granted a final opportunity, warning that failure to provide adequate information would lead to their personal appearance. However, instead of furnishing concrete details, the authorities filed affidavits shifting responsibility onto each other, leading to the present strict directions by the court.
The case highlights the ongoing struggle of residents in Hindaun City who have been dealing with stagnant dirty water on Mandawara Road for an extended period. The court's intervention aims to ensure a permanent resolution to the drainage problem.
