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HC forms panel to remove Encroachments on Bhandara Road

Expressing serious concern over severe congestion on Bhandara Road, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high Court on Wednesday constituted a panel led by Nagpur municipal commissioner to chalk out modalities for removing encroachments on the stretch. NIT chairman, Nagpur police commissioner and collector, along with assistant director of Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) town planning department were made respondents in the PIL (No 50/2012).

A division bench, comprising justices Bhushan Gavai and CV Bhadang, has asked the committee to submit the report within four weeks and also directed the police commissioner to provide police force as and when needed to remove the encroachments. The court's stern orders came while hearing a PIL filed by businessman Anil Agre who alleged that due to inaction of the government agencies and local municipal bodies like NMC, NIT, police, PWD and MSEDCL in removing encroachments on the Bhandara Road and footpaths, the area has been witnessing frequent traffic jams and accidents.

Counsel for the petitioner Bhanudas Kulkarni pointed out the road witnessed congestion especially on stretches, including Central Avenue, between Adamshah to Gomti square till Pardi Octroi post. The congestion and narrowing of the roads following encroachments has increased the incidents of mishap.

To add to the traffic woes, there is a vegetable market on the stretch from 3 to 9pm. The civic bodies have also failed to remove electric poles during road expansion drive. These poles are bang into the middle of the road making matters worse. The stretch has witnessed around 139 accidents resulting into 65 deaths thanks to the encroachment leading to the congestion.

According to Kulkarni, the respondents are legally obliged to remove the encroachments from the highway and the footpaths and shift the vegetable market to a suitable place. Moreover, the administration needs to take urgent steps to address the problem arising due to unauthorized and unplanned parking. A permanent solution needs to be worked out to resolve the problem and avoid its recurrence, the judges remarked. During last hearing, the court had asked MSEDCL to remove the electric poles. State secretaries of urban development department, PWD and home were made respondents along with PWD chief engineer, CP, ACP, RTO, NMC, NIT and MSEDCL.

Source-On Request