Remove Erring Staff From Service: HC to NMC Over Anti-Encroachment Drive Failures

Nagpur: Coming down heavily on civic authorities, the Nagpur Bench of Bombay high court on Wednesday said non-performing staff of the anti-encroachment squad should be "removed from service and sent home," as it expressed frustration over continued encroachments and lack of enforcement in the city.Hearing two PILs filed by the Dhantoli Nagrik Mandal, a division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode questioned the effectiveness of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) enforcement machinery. "Encroachment squads are said to be functioning, but what action have they taken?" the court asked, directing the NMC to submit details of action taken and the expenditure incurred on salaries of such personnel.The court noted that despite repeated orders over the years, the situation in areas such as Dhantoli, Ramdaspeth, Khamla, and Umred Road remains largely unchanged. In some locations, the HC observed, permanent structures have come up on roads and footpaths, indicating serious lapses in enforcement.Expressing dissatisfaction, the bench remarked that the matter was pending for 16 years, and yet compliance remained inadequate. "Every time, we are required to repeat the same orders," the court said, highlighting the continued inaction.A court-appointed committee's recommendations, based on field inspections, were taken on record, with the bench directing the civic body to respond. The suggestions include the creation of designated ambulance parking spaces in Dhantoli and Ramdaspeth to reduce congestion near hospitals.The committee has also proposed co-opting traffic experts, conducting surveys using LiDAR technology, introducing paid parking systems, and implementing one-way traffic in congested areas. Additionally, the court sought details of expenditure on city beautification, directing that this be filed in a related hoardings case.The next hearing is scheduled for May 4. The petitioners were represented by Ashutosh Dharmadhikari and Ashwin Deshpande, while the state and the municipal corporation were represented by AGP Deepak Thakare and Gemini Kasat, respectively.
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