VIJAY KUMAR MISHRA Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD the parties.

(2.) IN paragraph 6 of the counter affidavit filed on behalf of respondent nos. 3, 4 and 5, who are the Collector, Muzaffapur, The Sub -Divisional Officer, East Muzaffarpur. The Circle Officer, Muraul, District -Muzaffarpur, a guarded statement has been made that on 12.11.2008 itself encroachment up to 'Kharanja ' (soleing) level has been removed from the public road in question, and hence, it has been claimed that there is no obstruction or hindrance to use the road by the villagers as well as in the movement of the vehicles. Learned counsel for the petitioner has referred to Annexure -19 to the rejoinder filed on behalf of the petitioner and alleged that still the public road suffers from various kinds of encroachment including total obstruction of certain parts shown in dark blue ink. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further placed reliance upon judgment of this court in the case of Binod Prasad Singh Ors. vs. The State of Bihar [2003(1) PLJR 396] to submit that in a public interest litigation a Division Bench of this Court considered the obligation of various authorities under Article 243 -Z of the Constitution of India and held that public roads are to be kept free from encroachment because the roads of the nation have to take care of the traffic of the future and the increasing population as well as faster traffic. That judgment has taken the view in paragraph 4 that flanks of the main road, which are part of it, will need to be wider for the safety of pedestrians.

(3.) IN view of the admitted position in this case that encroachment has been removed only up to 'Kharanja ' level of the road and not of the entire flanks, we direct the concerned respondents including the District Magistrate, Muzaffarpur, to ensure that the entire public road bearing RSP No. 349 situated in Village -Ashanand under Muraul Block of Muzaffarpur district is free from all types of encroachment.