“…(W)e are of the opinion that a comprehensive and holistic report from a committee should be called for so that the problems being faced by residents of Aarey Milk Colony as also the concerns of environment may be addressed,” said Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor.
The committee has been asked to study the condition of the roads, if required, by paying a spot visit.
Panel told to form plan for Aarey road repairs, funding
The Bombay high court has directed setting up a panel to survey the 45km-long stretch of road inside Aarey Milk Colony. The direction was passed on a PIL by local resident Binod Agarwal. He submitted photos of the roads and said “the condition is pathetic”. On July 6, the HC directed a joint survey by the state and BMC to ensure that the process of handing over the roads to BMC is expedited.
The committee will include BMC’s chief engineer (roads), PWD secretary (technical), secretary (dairy development department), secretary (department of forest), a senior-level expert/scientist of NEERI, and the CEO of Aarey. The secretary of the dairy development or forests department, whoever is “seniormost”, shall coordinate.
It has to suggest a roadmap for repairs/reconstruction taking into account environmental concerns for the eco-sensitive zone. It also has to suggest flow of funds for the repairs. The committee has been given time till September 13 to submit a report.
State’s advocate Milind More said the roads are being handed over to BMC for maintenance and repair. But BMC’s advocate Joel Carlos said for reconstruction, a tender will have to be floated and it will take time. He said the state had sanctioned Rs 48 crore for repairs during monsoon. The judges pointed out that BMC had earlier told the court that the roads are not repairable. “It will be a wastage of Rs 48 crore. Why spend such a huge amount?” the CJ asked.
Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, for NGO Vanashakti and activist Zoru Bhathena, pointed out Aarey is an ecologically sensitive zone and the roads are in a forest. “The concern is concretisation. We are not against repairs,” he said. The judges proposed a committee to address concerns of the environment and local residents. “We are soliciting experts’ opinion,” said the CJ.
The judges noted it was decided on July 25 that the state will maintain the roads for the ongoing monsoon. They directed the PWD to repair the 1.5km stretch from Aarey Market to Mayur Nagar “at the earliest” and make it motorable. “However, the repairs will not be a reconstruction using concrete,” they added, and directed the state to release funds for it
