Contractor promises to hand over 27 ESRs to CSMC soon

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Most of the work on the city’s ‘dream project,’ the new water supply scheme, is nearing completion. During a hearing, the municipal corporation authorities pointed out that despite repeated assurances from the contractor, only five elevated storage water reservoirs (ESRs) have been handed over so far. The contractor informed the bench that 27 more ESRs have been completed, tested, and would soon be transferred to the municipal corporation.

The hearing, before Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Abhay Mantri of the Bombay High Court, was conducted on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed regarding various issues related to the project. The bench reviewed the challenges faced during implementation and issued directions accordingly. The next hearing has been scheduled for February 18.

Bench draws attention to delays reported by newspaper

During the hearing, Advocate Sambhaji Tope, representing the municipal corporation, brought the bench’s attention to a report published in Lokmat on Friday titled “N-3 and N-4 residents suffer due to delay in water pipeline work”. The report highlighted that trenches dug for laying internal water pipelines in the area had not been backfilled for the past two months. The bench directed that work on these pipelines be completed without further delay.

Senior officials to be called for explanation

It was also noted that in Heenanagar, work had been stalled for eight months by junior engineer Shelke from the public works department, who had even filed a police complaint regarding the matter. The bench expressed strong displeasure, warning that any obstruction in the project would amount to contempt of court. The chief government pleader, Amarjitsingh Girase, was directed to summon senior PWD officials for a detailed explanation.

The hearing was attended by senior advocates Rajendra Deshmukh (for the municipal corporation), Sanjeev Deshpande (for NHAI), R N Dhorde (for the contractor), amicus curiae Adv Shambhuraje Deshmukh, and the original PIL petitioner Adv Amit Mukhedkar.