. v. The State Of Goa, Thr. The Chief Secretary And 4 ORS.,

6 PILSM-4-2019.DOC Meena

IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA

PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (SUO MOTU)NO. 4 OF 2019

...Petitioner

Versus

THE STATE OF GOA, THR. THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND 4 ORS.

... Respondents Mr. G. Panandikar, Amicus Curiae.

Mr. D.J. Pangam, Advocate General with Mr. Pravin Faldessai, Additional Government Advocate for Respondent Nos.1 to 4. Mr. D.J. Pangam, Advocate General with Mr. S.P. Munj, Additional Government Advocate for Respondent No.5.

Mr. Ajit R. Kantak, Advocate for Respondent No7.

CORAM:

M. S. SONAK & BHARAT P. DESHPANDE, JJ.

DATED:

5th December, 2022.

P.C.:

Heard Mr. Panandikar, learned Amicus Curiae, Mr. Devidas Pangam, learned Advocate General and Mr. Kantak, learned Counsel who appears for respondent No.7-One of the contractors.

2.

This petition concerns the issue of potholes on the roads and highways in the State of Goa. None of the parties treated this matter as adversarial litigation. As a result, we are able to make orders from time to time. Learned Advocate General states that in compliance with such orders, the issue of potholes has been substantially addressed.

3.

The learned Advocate General also states that this issue of repair of 5th December, 2022

6 PILSM-4-2019.DOC potholes is a continuous process and the State and its agencies are committed to address the same on a continuous basis. He states that for the last one year, a practice has evolved where the concerned authorities addressed citizens' complaints on potholes. He points out that usually, the citizens take a picture of the pothole and send it to the concerned engineers. The engineers then attend such complaints. He states that this practice will be continued. 4.

The concerned authorities/engineers are directed to act consistent with the statement now made by the learned Advocate General before us. 5.

The learned Amicus Curiae has handed in written submissions dated 05/12/2022, wherein he has referred to some five stretches. The learned Advocate General states that these matters will also be looked into by the concerned authorities and necessary action taken to see that the potholes, if any, are repaired.

6.

Now that the issue has been adequately addressed and the learned Advocate General on behalf of the State has assured this Court that the process of attending and repairing of potholes would be undertaken on a continuous basis, we see no necessity to keep this petition pending any longer. Accordingly, we disposed of this petition. Before we do so, we thank Mr. Panandikar, learned Amicus Curiae and learned Advocate General for rendering us effective assistance.

7.

This petition is accordingly disposed of.

BHARAT P. DESHPANDE, J M. S. SONAK, J 5th December, 2022