Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has ordered the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Commissioner of Police (CP) to submit a reply within four weeks regarding the condition of the footpaths in Nagpur.
Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri issued the directives on Wednesday while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting the poor condition of footpaths in the city.
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According to the petitioner, Madhukar Kukde, who is President of the Citizen Forum for Equality, footpaths are meant for the general public’s use, but encroachments are causing significant inconvenience to residents and pedestrians, creating unsafe conditions and disrupting traffic.
On behalf of the petitioner, a representation was made to the Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner on August 31, demanding removal of encroachments from footpaths and roads. However, the petitioner said, no action was taken yet. This situation violates citizens’ rights to free movement under Article 19. The primary purpose of constructing footpaths is to ensure pedestrian safety, and allowing encroachments infringes on pedestrian rights.
Advocate Tushar Mandalekar represented the petitioner, while advocate Sudhir Puranik represented NMC.
The approximately 192-page petition includes photographs depicting the poor condition of footpaths in various parts of the city. NMC, Police Commissioner, and the State Chief Secretary have been named respondents in the case.
