Smti. Runa Khatoon v. The Superintending Engineer And ORS.

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

[ CIRCUIT BENCH AT PORT BLAIR ] *** WPA/193/2025 Smt Runa Khatoon Vs.

The Superintending Engineer and others Ms. K. Usha Rani ... for the petitioner Mr.Rakesh Kumar ... for the respondents April 04, 2025 [SR] Item No.6 The present writ petition has been preferred, inter alia, praying for issuance of necessary direction upon the respondents to grant water connection to the petitioner's residence.

Ms. K. Usha Rani, learned advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is residing along with her family members in the Government revenue land bearing Survey No.36 measuring an area of 200 Sq.mtrs situated at Dhanikhari, Soniya Nagar Colony, Dhanikhari Village under Ferrargunj Tehsil, South Andaman District (hereinafter referred to as the said land). On 22nd February, 2025, she submitted an application bearing no.6015 along with an affidavit to the competent authority praying for grant of individual water supply connection. In spite of receipt of the said application, the respondents have maintained a deceptive silence and have not taken steps to grant water connection and as a consequence thereof the petitioner and her family members are suffering insurmountable inconvenience.

Mr. Rakesh Kumar, learned advocate enters appearance on behalf of the respondents.

However, no instruction is forthcoming as to why the petitioner's application for water connection has been kept pending.

Upon hearing the learned advocates appearing for the respective parties and considering the materials on record, I am of the opinion that no useful purpose will be served by keeping the writ petition pending and as the matter relates to grant of water connection, the same needs to be relegated to the respondents for expeditious consideration and grant of water connection.

Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's application dated 22nd February, 2025 and to take appropriate steps towards grant of water connection in favour of the petitioner, subject to compliance of necessary formalities, if any.

The above exercise shall be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of communication of this order. There shall, however, be no order as to costs. Urgent Photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, shall be supplied to the parties as expeditiously as possible, upon compliance of all formalities.

( Tapabrata Chakraborty, J. )