Pune: PMC’s Lackadaiscal Attitude Towards Road Maintenance Comes Out In High Court Hearing, Ordered To Form Expert Committees
Pune, 19th December 2023: The Bombay High Court has pulled up the Pune Municipal Commissioner for not forming Standard Technical Advisory Committee and Road Development and Road Maintenance Committee. The court has given him three weeks time to form these committees.
The order was passed yesterday by the bench of Chief Justice Arif Doctor and Devendra Kumar Upadhyay while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) bearing the number 88 (St. No. 10739) of 2023. The petitioners, Qaneez-E-Fatemah Sukhrani and Pushkar Kulkarni, have brought forth a case against the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the State Urban Development Department, and the Public Works Department (PWD), alleging gross negligence in the repair, maintenance, and layering of roads in Pune.
The sorry state of Pune’s roads has long been a concern for its citizens. The perennial issue of damaged and poorly maintained roads has not only inconvenienced motorists but has also led to unsafe road conditions, increased traffic volume, and environmental repercussions. Potholes and uneven surfaces have become a common sight, especially during the monsoon season, forcing motorists to navigate these obstacles diligently.
The negligence of the PMC is particularly alarming given the multiple Public Interest Litigations that have preceded this case. The Court, in response to previous litigations, constituted expert panels, including the State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) and Road Development and Road Maintenance Committee (RDRMC). These committees provided over 100 action points for PMC to undertake road repair, maintenance, and layering. Shockingly, as revealed in the PIL, both the STAC and RDRMC recommendations, dating back to 2007 and 2016 respectively, are yet to be implemented in 2023.
The PMC’s in-house and reactive approach to road maintenance has led to the citizens of Pune accepting subpar road conditions as a permanent feature. The patchwork quilt of poorly patched roads and superficially filled potholes continues to persist, resulting in a colossal waste of resources and a constant threat to public safety.
Petitioner no. 1, Qaneez-E-Fatemah Sukhrani, has been proactive in addressing this issue, engaging in continuous communication since May 2022. Several letters were addressed to the PMC Commissioner and Principal Secretaries of the State Urban Development Department, raising crucial questions and accompanied by revealing photographs. These communications form an integral part of the PIL.
The STAC and RDRMC Reports, submitted in 2007 and 2016 respectively, contain a comprehensive set of recommendations and action points that could significantly improve the quality of Pune’s roads. Some notable recommendations include improving stormwater drainage, clarifying the use of Cement Concrete and Bituminous Concrete, adopting the FIDIC format for tender documentation, and ensuring strict compliance with guidelines of the Indian Road Congress.
The PMC’s non-compliance with various Government Resolutions and Circulars regarding road quality maintenance further compounds the issue. Despite having a statutory duty under Section 63 (18) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, 1949, the PMC has failed to uphold its responsibility.
In light of these circumstances, the petitioners have sought directions from the High Court of Bombay for the immediate compliance with the STAC and RDRMC Committee reports. Additionally, they propose the constitution of a committee comprising a retired judge, an advocate, two technical experts (one from IIT Bombay and the other from the Central Institute of Road Transport), and two citizens of Pune with expertise in Road Engineering. This committee aims to oversee the implementation of the STAC and RDRMC reports and ensure accountability in road maintenance.
