Suo-Motu v. Government Of India

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 21.03.2024 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.SANJAY V.GANGAPURWALA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY (Suo-motu PIL)

1. Government of India Rep. by its Secretary Department of Highways Ministry of Shipping, Road Transports and Highways New Delhi 110 001.

2. Government of Union Territory of Puducherry Rep. by its Secretary Highways Department Puducherry.

3. The Chief General Manager (Coordination and Public Grievances) National Highways Authority of India No.G-5 and 6, Sector 10 Dwarka, New Delhi 110 075.

4. The Project Director National Highway Authority of India No.2829, 1st Cross Street, Ganapathy Nagar Arumparthapuram

Puducherry 605 110.

5. The District Collector Puducherry UT.

6. The Regional Administrator Mahe Region Puducherry UT.

..

Respondents Prayer: Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the reasons stated in the accompanying letter from Thiru.Suresh Babu, Mahe dated 10.08.2022, suo-motu public interest litigation is taken up for a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to take immediate steps to repair and maintain the National Highway 66 (NH-66) passing through Mahe Region of Union Territory of Puducherry at stretch of 1.5 kms. from Poozhithala Border in the South to Mahe Bridge in the North and to file a status report before this Court within the time stipulated. For the Respondents : Mr.Rajesh Vivekanandan Deputy Solicitor General for Respondent-1 Mr.Vasantha Kumar Additional Government Pleader (Pondy) for Respondents 2, 5 & 6 Mr.S.Srinivasan Standing Counsel for Respondents 3 & 4

ORDER

(Made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) We have heard Mr.Rajesh Vivekanandan, learned Deputy Solicitor General for the first respondent, Mr.Vasantha Kumar, learned Additional Government Pleader (Pondy) for the respondents 2, 5 and 6 and Mr.S.Srinivasan, learned Standing Counsel for the respondents 3 and 4.

2. The suo motu cognizance is taken by the Court on the basis of the letter dated 10.08.2022 of the pathetic road condition at National Highway-66 passing through Mahe Region of Union Territory of Puducherry at stretch of 1.5 kms. from Poozhithala Border in the South to Mahe Bridge in the North.

3. It is submitted that the work order is now issued to the successful tenderer and it has to be completed within three months from the 10th day of the receipt of the work order.

4. We hope and trust that the work would be completed within the time frame.

5. As the steps are now taken, the present writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. (S.V.G., CJ.) (D.B.C., J.) 21.03.2024 Index :

Yes/No :

Yes/No kpl To

1. The Secretary Department of Highways Ministry of Shipping, Road Transports and Highways New Delhi 110 001.

2. The Secretary Government of Union Territory of Puducherry Highways Department Puducherry.

3. The Chief General Manager (Coordination and Public Grievances) National Highways Authority of India No.G-5 and 6, Sector 10 Dwarka, New Delhi 110 075.

4. The Project Director National Highway Authority of India No.2829, 1st Cross Street, Ganapathy Nagar Arumparthapuram Puducherry 605 110.

5. The District Collector Puducherry UT.

6. The Regional Administrator Mahe Region, Puducherry UT.

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J (kpl) 21.03.2024