It has been directed by the Bombay High Court To Maharashtra Government for considering Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Chahal’s suggestion of handing over all the roads in Greater Mumbai to the civic body for their better maintenance and upkeep.
The Court while hearing a contempt matter related to the bad condition of roads, founds Chahal’s proposal “appealing” while considering it from the aspect of monitoring, coordinating, upkeep and maintenance of the roads.
The division bench comprising of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice MS Karnik observed and has stated that it expects the civic body to complete concretization work on all its roads within 30 months. Thus, it stated that the total length of the roads under BMC is 2050 kms and cement concretization is complete on around 990 kms.
The court passed the order on a contempt application filed by Advocate Ruju Thakkar in a suo motu PIL on the poor condition of roads in the state. It was submitted by Thakkar that there was no improvement at the ground level despite an authoritative judgement of the Bombay HC on the issue in 2018.
Further, it was blamed by her that “erring contractors” not being made accountable for various deaths within and outside city limits due to potholes.
A detailed presentation is needed by BMC Commissioner on the municipality’s action plan for a pothole-free Mumbai. The main concern of the commissioner was that many roads within Mumbai in poor condition, are not under the BMC.
However, these roads are under different planning authorities like Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), Public Works Department (PWD), Airport Authority of India (AAI), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Rashtriya Chemical Fertilizers (RCF), Railway Authority, Forest Authority, Navy and SRA.
In the order, the court noted that it is seen that some of the roads, not within the control of MCGM are in a bad condition.
It has been agreed with the Commissioner that bringing all roads under one planning authority would be a step forward in ensuring better roads.
The BMC commissioner’s submission had been recorded in the order that bringing all roads under one planning authority would be a step forward in ensuring better roads.
It stated that out of 2050kms roads, 990 kms of roads have been concretized, tenders have been awarded for concretization of the roads to the extent of 265 kms and by November tenders will be awarded for 397 kms roads and the balance length, to be improved in Phase-II, is 398 kms.
Further, chahal told the court that the Commissioner’s assurance of repairing the 20 worst roads was also recorded. All the potholes will be immediately fixed.
It has also been said by the PWD Secretary that the state government was also concerned about pothole-ridden roads and doing everything possible for their improvement.
Further, the bench added that we are satisfied with the assurance that proper steps would be taken to curb the menace. No doubt, the State Government and MCGM will audit the performance of the erring road contractors responsible for the bad road conditions. Thus, our immediate concern is ensuring that MCGM takes urgent steps in fixing the potholes existing as on today.
The bench stated that it would monitor the progress every two months and posted the matter for hearing on December 1, 2022.
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