Faulty cement roads: HC seeks compliance report

Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of Bombay high court has directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), the state government, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to submit a compliance report detailing corrective measures taken to address defects in cement roads, paver blocks, and road height variations across the city by June 11.The direction was issued on Monday by a division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Nivedita Mehta while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Janmanch, a city-based citizens' organisation.During the hearing, the petitioners placed before the court an affidavit along with photographs highlighting the poor condition of several roads, damaged and uneven paver blocks, and irregularities in road levels at multiple locations. The affidavit also pointed to various technical deficiencies in the execution of cement road projects, raising concerns over public safety and adherence to prescribed standards.The court noted that the NMC had earlier assured it that defects in the roads would be rectified. The state government and NHAI had also expressed their willingness to undertake the necessary repair and corrective works within their respective jurisdictions.Taking note of the material placed on record, the bench directed all concerned agencies to carry out remedial measures strictly in accordance with applicable rules, technical specifications, and norms. The authorities have been asked to place on record affidavits detailing the action taken and the status of compliance before the next hearing. Advocate Parvez Mirza represented the petitioners in the matter.