HC Flags ‘Misleading’ Cost Cuts in Court Projects, Raps PWD Officials The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court recently issued a sharp critique of the government’s handling of judicial infrastructure projects, accusing officials of misleading cost reductions and administrative negligence that have stalled critical developments. The court’s intervention came during a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Janmanch president Rajiv Jagtap, which highlighted systemic issues in the execution of projects like the Lawyers’ Hall at the District Court in Gadchiroli and the delayed construction of the Chandrapur district court building. The bench, comprising Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta, expressed concern over a significant reduction in the estimated cost of constructing the Lawyers’ Hall, which was slashed from ₹2.18 crore to ₹1.4 crore. The court argued that this “misleading” cost cut had rendered the project unviable, citing confusion among Public Works Department (PWD) officials as a key barrier to progress. “It appears that because of the confusion between the PWD officers, the citizens at large are suffering,” the bench observed, emphasizing that such delays undermine the right to timely justice. The court also raised broader concerns about the government’s practice of drastically cutting project estimates, which it warned could be a “strategic move” to create the illusion of approvals without adequate funding. “Such a stand is misleading,” the bench stated, suggesting that these practices risk compromising the quality and completion of judicial infrastructure. In Chandrapur, the court highlighted severe delays in the construction of the district court building, despite multiple notices issued to the contractor.#bombay_high_court #public_works_department #rajiv_jagtap #janmanch #chandrapur_district_court
HC Pulls Up PWD Over Delay in Reply on Flooding Due to Elevated Cement Roads The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday criticized the public works department (PWD) for its failure to respond to a public interest litigation (PIL) regarding persistent waterlogging in parts of the city caused by elevated cement-concrete roads. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta expressed frustration over the department’s delayed submission of its reply and questioned when the response would be filed. The court emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, which has led to recurring flooding and public grievances. The PIL, filed by Rajiv Jagtap, president of the civic rights group Janmanch, highlighted the impact of waterlogging on residents and infrastructure. In previous hearings, the bench had directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to submit a time-bound action plan to mitigate the problem before the monsoon season. However, the PWD’s continued silence has raised concerns about the coordination between agencies responsible for urban development. In its affidavit, the civic body claimed that waterlogging would not pose a significant issue this year and outlined preventive measures. However, the court dismissed these proposals as impractical, casting doubt on their effectiveness in addressing the recurring problem. The PWD’s failure to clarify its stance has further exacerbated concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency in managing urban infrastructure. Advocate Pervez Mirza, representing the petitioner, stressed the urgency of the matter, warning that delays in implementing corrective measures could lead to severe inconvenience and property damage during the monsoon.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #public_works_department #janmanch #rajiv_jagtap
