HC directs Madurai Corporation to repair damaged roads, relay new ones in a phased manner
A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete observed, 'Providing drinking water, pure air and infrastructure facilities are the constitutional mandate for the State. The right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution extends to the provision of these basic amenities and it must be protected by the State and its authorities'.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed in 2021 by advocate S. Suresh Kumar Isaac Paul of Madurai who had sought a direction to the State and Madurai Corporation to lay new roads after scrapping the existing roads, take necessary steps to maintain the drainage system, lay pavement and install information boards displaying the details of the road project in order to maintain transparency. Due to the damaged roads, the residents and the road users were suffering, the petitioner said.
The court observed that the Corporation was expected to provide basic amenities and infrastructure facilities to the residents of Madurai city. Roads are to be laid properly to prevent accidents and to ensure smooth traffic flow. Areas which require immediate attention are to be identified and roads which are damaged are to be repaired immediately. New roads are to be laid in a phased manner according to the budget allocations.
While laying new roads, the existing roads are to be milled in order to avoid inconvenience to the residents and the road users, in order to maintain roads at the existing level. The authorities should act in a swift manner to redress the grievances of the people residing in Madurai city in a phased manner by using technological advancement, the court observed.
Madurai Corporation, in a counter affidavit, told the court that the Corporation was taking effective steps to ensure quality roads. The court disposed of the petition.
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