The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has claimed that the constant traffic, heavy traffic and the intensity of rain are responsible for the miserable condition of the roads in mumbai. It was also stated in the affidavit filed in the High Court on Wednesday that the municipality is strictly complying with its responsibilities and court orders.
Lawyer Ruju Thakkar has filed a contempt petition claiming that Mumbai along with other municipalities have failed to comply with the High Court's order of 2018 regarding providing roads in good condition. The petition was heard on Wednesday before a bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Arif Doctor. On this occasion Additional Municipal Commissioner P. Advocate Anil Sakhre submitted an affidavit on behalf of Velrasu.
“The intensity of rainfall has been very high in the last few years. It is impossible to do road work during monsoon. Bad roads or open sewers may be exceptional cases. However, it cannot be said that there is a similar situation in the entire city," the municipal corporation has claimed. Necessary measures are being taken for the safety of roads and pedestrians. The Municipal Corporation says that the system that does not comply with the orders cannot be determined based on one incident or example.
A matter may be brought to the notice of concerned departments and grievance redressal may be pursued. However, it has been mentioned in this affidavit that the municipal corporation is defying the order of the court.
Meanwhile, a contempt petition accomplishes nothing. The court remarked during the hearing that he is not punishing anyone. “We are giving new orders only in accordance with previous orders. In this case too, we will dispose of the contempt petition by passing an order for the implementation of the earlier orders," the bench indicated. Petitioners and other local bodies including BMC should inform about the measures. Accordingly, the court explained the order.
Certificate of Economic Survey
In the affidavit filed by the Municipal Corporation, the State Economic Survey Report of 2022-23 has been cited. As of January 1, the total number of vehicles has reached 44.76 lakh, and at least 2 thousand 183 vehicles travel within one kilometer. In addition, around 6.11 lakh vehicles travel to and from Mumbai every day. As a result, the municipal corporation has claimed that the traffic density in Mumbai has increased further on the basis of this report.
'Not having a single system is worrying'
Roads in Mumbai come under the jurisdiction of various agencies. The High Court expressed concern over the lack of an umbrella enforcement mechanism for road repair and maintenance. The court remarked that since the roads come under the jurisdiction of various systems, there is no system available for citizens to complain.
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