The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has erected tin sheet fencing around a site in Bajaj Nagar to prevent its potential misuse by hotel operators. This decision was communicated to the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, with NMC asserting that the fencing would effectively restrict any temporary use of the premises.
A division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Raj Wakode then adjourned the hearing till Sept 7.
It said the entire disputed area had been enclosed with tin fencing and measures had been taken to ensure that it could not be easily removed. Following the court’s directions, NMC submitted a report detailing the action taken. The PIL alleges that activities continuing late into the night at the Kachipura establishments have been causing inconvenience to residents and creating potential law-and-order concerns. Taking note of the allegations, the court directed Bajaj Nagar police to inform it about the action taken so far against such late-night parties.
Photographs of the fencing were also placed before the court. The development follows the court’s earlier displeasure over the civic body’s action concerning alleged liquor parties being held in the area. The submission came on Friday during the hearing of a PIL by three Shankar Nagar residents — Lalit Harode, Aseem Baodia and Mrudula Phadke, who have raised concerns over alleged irregularities and blatant violations at restaurants in the stretch between Bajaj Nagar and Shankar Nagar.
Since permission from the superintendent engineer was required, the civic body said it had sent a letter to the officer on Sept 3. NMC also informed the court that it had written to MSEDCL seeking relocation of dangerous live electricity wires in the vicinity.