CHANDRASHEKHAR RAGHAVAN PILLAI Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Shri Ghare, learned Counsel for the petitioners, Shri Thakare, learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondent nos.1, 4 and 5, and Shri Kunte, learned Counsel for the respondent nos.2 and 3.

(2.) This public interest litigation brings to the fore the pathetic state of roads in the city of Nagpur in general and in areas, such as Sangharsh Nagar, Chandmari Temple Road, Bidgaon T-point and Bhandewadi Dumping Yard in special. It is the fact that the Nagpur Municipal Corporation has proposed work of road widening and construction of cement road and asphalting of three stretches of one road starting from Sangharsh Nagar and going upto Bhandewadi Dumping Yard and then to Chandmari Temple, stretching further to Bidgaon T-point and then leading to Wathoda crematorium. The works along these stretches of road are to be carried out at the estimated cost of Rs.8,94,64,076/-, Rs.3,91,51,510/- and Rs.5,83,28,597/- respectively. The good news is that Nagpur Municipal Corporation is being fully aided financially by the State Government in execution and completion of this road project. By the Government Resolutions dated 3/6/2019 and 13/9/2019, the State Government has committed itself to provide funds for defraying entire cost of the road project. So, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation has no worry to feel as regards the financial aspect of the road project. Yet, no appropriate steps for commencement of the work of this road project have been taken by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation.

(3.) It has been submitted on behalf of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation that tender process is already completed and now the matter is at the stage of issuance of work order. It was way back on 30/10/2019 that the lowest bid submitted by contractor M/s. S.K. Gurbaxani was accepted and since then, the matter is pending for issuance of work order. According to Shri Kunte, learned Counsel for the respondent Nagpur Municipal Corporation, work order was not issued for the reason that the funds committed by the State Government were not credited to the Account of the Corporation.