Gauhati High Court Pulls Up State Govt For Non-Response On Plea Flagging Waterlogging Issue In Guwahati City, Imposes 1K Cost

The Gauhati High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Assam Government and concerned departments for not filing a response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) raising the issue of water logging in the city of Guwahati.

The division bench of the Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Kardak Ete observed:

“As noticed on 03.06.2024, the petitioner has raised Gauhati High Court serious issue regarding water logging in the city of Guwahati, which persisted for a long time. It appears that the aforesaid Departments are not serious in solving the problem of water logging in the Guwahati city, as despite specific time granted to them, no response has been filed till date.”

The Court was hearing a PIL which raised the issue regarding the water logging in Guwahati City during the monsoon season.

Earlier on June 3, the Court asked the State of Assam, represented through the Additional Chief Secretary, Forest & Environment Department, Assam, Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam, Revenue and DM Department, Chief Executive Officer, Assam Disaster Management Authority and the Divisional Forest Officer, Kamrup Division, to apprise it within 10 days, about the steps that have been taken by the State to deal with the problem of water logging in the Guwahati city.

“It is noticed that the problem of water logging in monsoon season in the Guwahati city is not addressed by the authorities concerned in proper manner since long time. The issue is directly related to the public at large. Hence, it is expected that the respondents should file their response within the stipulated time, detailing out that what steps have been taken by them to deal with the problem of water logging in the Guwahati city,” the Court has noted.

However, on Wednesday the Court observed that to date no response has been filed on behalf of the said Departments.

“In the interest of justice, we grant one more opportunity to the aforesaid Departments to file their response to the Writ Petition, subject to the condition that each of the Department shall pay cost of Rs.1,000/- (Rupees one thousand) only, with the Gauhati High Court Legal Services Authority,” the Court said.

The matter is listed now on July 19.

Case Title: North East Eco Development Society v. The State of Assam & 3 Ors.

Case No.: PIL/14/2024

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