Rohan Ashok Khaunte v. State Of Goa, Thr. Chief Secretary And 5 ORS
vinita
IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA
PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION WP NO.21 OF 2021 ROHAN ASHOK KHAUNTE ... PETITIONER
Versus
STATE OF GOA, THR. CHIEF SECRETARY AND 5 ORS ... RESPONDENTS Mr Preetam Talaulikar, Advocate for the Petitioner. Mr D. Pangam, Advocate General with Ms. Maria Correia, Additional Government Advocate for Respondent Nos.1 to 4. Mr Shivan Desai and Mr Riya Amonkar, Advocate for Respondent No.5.
Ms Akshata Bhat, Addl. Govt. Advocate for Respondent No.6. Mr Parag Rao and Mr Akhil Parrikar, Advocates for the intervenor. CORAM:- BHARATI DANGRE & NIVEDITA P. MEHTA, JJ.
DATED :- 22nd April, 2025 P.C.
1. Public Interest Litigation is filed by the member of the legislative assembly seeking directions against the State Government to take appropriate measures to make available any appropriate land for the construction of Sewage Treatment Plant and directions to the Sewage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa(Sewerage Corporation) ( SIDC) to complete the project expeditiously was disposed of the petition on 12.10.2022 upon detailed judgment being passed issuing further directions.
Judgment specifically recorded the statement made on behalf of
the learned Advocate General and recorded timelines set out for various stages including construction of sewage treatment plant as well as other ancillary works including the installation of pumping station.
2. Paragraph 26 of the judgment directed the Managing Director of Sewerage Corporation to file periodic compliance reports with regards the status of progress report; the first such report was filed on 9.1.2023.
3. In the wake of the aforesaid directions, we find compliance reports being filed by respondent no. 6 from time to time, including the reports dated 11.1.2023,10.4.2023, 12.12.2023 15.4.2024 and the latest report dated 16.12.2024.
We find that by filing the said reports, this Court was apprised of the progress in the construction of the Sewage Treatment Plant and ancillary works undertaken within the timeline stipulated. It is pointed out to us that as far as the construction of the Sewage Treatment Plant is concerned, it is at the final leg and Addl. Government Advocate has instructions to make a statement that by June 2025 the work shall be complete. As far as laying of trunk main with the construction of main holes as indicated, timeline stipulated was 31.12.2025, but some work is at an unfinished stage. We accept the aforesaid statement and direct listing of this petition for the latest status report to be furnished before us on or before 19.6.2025.
4. We expect the said report to be filed on affidavit by the Managing Director of SIDC, with specific timeline stipulated therein
for completion of work at item no. 6 as indicated in the judgment dated 12.10.2022.
Upon such a report being received, we intend to close the proceedings and therefore we expect that a responsible statement to be made in the affidavit.
5. Renotify to 19.6.2025.
NIVEDITA P. MEHTA, J.
BHARATI DANGRE, J.
Signed by: VINITA VIKAS NAIK Designation: Personal Assistant Date: 23/04/2025 14:50:59