Kausarbaug
The Sept 10 order came after Kausarbaug Residents Forum (KBRF) filed a petition which alleged widespread unauthorised commercial activity and encroachments on public roads, footpaths, open spaces and playgrounds in the locality.
Considering the factual situation, the bench comprising chief justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and justice Advait M Sethna said it was not inclined to keep the petition pending by calling for replies from the respondents, which included the state government, district collector, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), police commissioner and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL). A senior PMC official said the civic body will examine the court order and take appropriate action in accordance with the court’s directions. Lawyer Hrutwik Kate, who appeared for the petitioners, said it was rare for the court to pass an order in the first hearing. He said the court observed that it was a fundamental duty of the authorities to act on the matter. Residents said they have consistently raised the issue of encroachments during these meetings over the past two years.
Pune: Bombay High Court has directed Pune Municipal Corporation to act against alleged encroachments along key roads in Kausarbaug area in Kondhwa. The court, in the very first hearing, observed that the authorities were duty-bound to ensure that roadsides are not encroached upon. “The high court’s order is a significant development. We expect the civic body now to take the matter to its logical conclusion by following the statutory procedure,” he added. Local authorities, including the police and municipal officials, meet residents and eatery owners every year ahead of Ramzan. They have demanded that temporary stalls and eateries set up during the month be shifted to an open space instead of being allowed to occupy roads and obstruct traffic. We have raised our concerns with local authorities on several occasions. We took up our issues with every individual in the system, from junior officers to commissioners. Everyone assured us that action would be initiated, but there was little movement on the ground. We had no option but to approach the high court for relief