"It's A Shameful Situation": Delhi High Court Directs SDMC To Expeditiously Carry Out Road Repair Works Near Kotla Mubarakpur Area
The Delhi High Court has expressed dissatisfaction at the road conditions in city's Kotla Mubarakpur area, and has directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to expedite the work of laying fresh surface on existing roads so that the residents of the area are able to commute on these roads without any difficulty. On a perusal of the photographs presented by the Petitioner in...
The Delhi High Court has expressed dissatisfaction at the road conditions in city's Kotla Mubarakpur area, and has directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to expedite the work of laying fresh surface on existing roads so that the residents of the area are able to commute on these roads without any difficulty.
On a perusal of the photographs presented by the Petitioner in person, Manjeet Singh, a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Sachin Datta orally remarked,
"Is it only visible to the Petitioner? Is it not visible to the officers in the area?...This is dereliction of duty…It's a shameful situation."
The Petitioner had raised a grievance in relation to the condition of public road, i.e., the Gurudwara Road and the adjoining roads thereto at Kotla Mubarakpur. He also raised a grievance with regard to the digging work undertaken by the Delhi Jal Board.
Previously, the SDMC had stated that the repair work has already been started. The Delhi Jal Board also submitted that restoration of the road after laying the sewer line has been completed.
However, the petitioner disputed the above assertions and submitted that the Delhi Jal Board was carrying out work at three different locations, however, has repaired only one of the same.
Today, upon a perusal of the latest status reports and the photographs annexed by the Petitioner, the Court observed,
"Condition of road is highly unsatisfactory either for vehicular movement or even for pedestrians to walk on and particularly when it is dark, it is likely that persons riding two wheelers or pedestrians may suffer an accident on account of uneven surface."
The counsel for SDMC submitted that it has carried out some wok and has prepared a plan for improvement and development of roads in the area. He also showed to the Court some photographs on the basis of which it was claimed that roads are being repaired.
However, the Court said it is not satisfied by the claim made by the municipal corporation, adding that "roads are in a bad shape".
A further status report has now been sought by the next date of hearing, indicating the progress in work done.
The matter will be taken up on July 15.
Case Title: Manjeet Singh v. GNCTD