HC censure for Panchkula civic authorities

Chandigarh, July 24 Potholed roads, shoddy garbage disposal and a faulty sewage treatment plant — the report submitted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court highlighted aspects of civic infrastructure that Panchkula needs to pay attention to.
The report was submitted by advocate A R Takkar, appointed amicus curiae by the High Court, in relation to a public interest litigation (PIL).
Expressing shock over the report and the photographs depicting the deplorable condition of the city’s roads and the sewage treatment plant, Chief Justice Vijender Kumar Jain has directed the Chief Administrator of the HUDA, the Deputy Commissioner (DC), the Executive Officer (EO) of the Municipal Council, the Chief Engineer of the Public Health and Drainage Department officials to appear on the next date of hearing. Criticising the authorities for slipping in their duties, the Chief Justice questioned what the authorities were doing for the upkeep of the civic machinery in the city.
Showing photographs attached to the report to the counsel appearing for Haryana and HUDA, the Chief Justice reprimanded the authorities.
Giving details, Takkar submitted the roads close to the Industrial Area have often caused fatal accidents.
Takkar, who has visited the spots, classified his report in three categories: roads, garbage disposal/sanitation and sewage treatment plant. Excerpts from his report.
RoadsThirty per cent of the inter-sector dividing roads are not up to the mark and need re-carpeting. Roads in Industrial Area, Phase-I, were either laid or repaired several years ago. They need to be carpeted as they are completely worn out. In residential sectors, barring Sectors 26 and 27, which are newly-developed, all other sectors have been totally ignored by the authorities. In most internal roads, stormwater drains are either not laid at all or do not function. Several homes get waterlogged during the rains. Takkar has also listed the affected houses in Sector 12 and 8. Water, up to four feet deep, collects in front of the roads when it rains.
SanitationMost of the open garbage bins were foul smelling. They are not cleared regularly by the Municipal Council. Municipal workers said only four garbage collection trucks are in working condition with the Municipal Council which in itself shows the inadequacy of the infrastructure. The Municipal Council is not bothered about the garbage heaped next to residential areas.
Sewage treatmentThe sewage treatment plant was not working. Its screen and one of the grit channels had stopped functioning. Only three aerators out of a total four were in working. There was here was hardly any difference between untreated sewage and treated sewage.
Express News Service
Posted online: Friday , July 25, 2008 at 02:30:45Updated: Friday , July 25, 2008 at 02:30:45
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