SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT, CHIEF SECRETARY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Pursuant to the order passed by this Court on 25/1/2023, there were certain directions which were necessary to be implemented.

(2.) We have heard extensively learned Advocate General who has pointed out to this Court that there are 461 bridges under the Urban Development Department out of which no repairs are required for 398; 348 are with the municipal corporations and 131 with the municipalities, whereas 1441 are under the Road and Building department where there is already a policy in existence, there is a proforma for inspection report which he has pointed out to this Court from the Annexure 'R- 4' which gives the details of the inspections and observations. It is also his submission that in premonsoon period and in post-monsoon period, this measure is undertaken. From the affidavit of 25/1/2023, it has been pointed out in paragraph 5.4 that for the bridges falling within the purview of the Corporations and the Municipalities, as per the prevalent practice, respective Corporations and Municipalities are looking after the aspects relating to inspection and maintenance of the bridges coming within their jurisdiction. A need for formulation of uniform policy in this regard is accepted with a further say that this aspect is under serious consideration of the state government which would come with the requisite policy at the earliest. All the development authorities in the meantime in-charge of the respective bridges in the state have already been directed to carry out inspection and start taking the required remedial measures. The bridges which require remedial measures in the form of minor repairs are 23 in numbers and 40 of them require major repairs. The chart also is annexed for depicting the said aspect.

(3.) It has been ensured to this Court by learned Advocate General that this formulation of the policy will be completed within 15(fifteen) days since its underway.