No sessions in new Panvel court anytime soon as interior work still incomplete

NAVI MUMBAI: The new building constructed to be used as Panvel court has not been occupied as PWD has not finished work yet, said court officers.
The government had decided to construct a new building at Lokhandi Pada and spent about Rs 7.22 crore. According to lawyers, the construction is completed but occupation is delayed as the work of fixing furniture and interior decoration is incomplete.The old building is now inadequate to house the court rooms, said another lawyer.
“There are about 40,000 cases pending. The lack of space in the old court house does not allow for more rooms. The situation will be eased only if the new building is commissioned,” said Prakash Deshmukh, an advocate.
Another lawyer Madan Govari, president of Panvel bar association said that the delay was caused by PWD. However, PWD officials clarified that all work except the interior decoration, furniture and electrical fittings has been completed. The building will consist of four court rooms on the first floor, an administrative office, a guard room, a canteen, a computer room, a judicial officer’s library, a Lok Adalat room and a bar room among others. “We have sent requests to the law & judiciary department to approve funds for the interior works. But so far, the funds have not been sanctioned,” said an officer.