Bombay HC takes suo motu note of dilapidated government housing, seeks state report
Bombay High Court has registered a PIL over the poor condition of government staff housing in Maharashtra and sought a detailed report from the state.
The condition of government housing provided to state employees in Maharashtra has deteriorated to such an extent that the Bombay High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter. The court has registered it as a public interest litigation, citing the dilapidated state of these residences, growing concerns over the safety of residents, and negligence in repair work.
During the hearing, amicus curiae advocate A. A. Nagulkar placed a detailed questionnaire before the court. He requested the court to seek a complete report from the state government and all concerned departments on the current condition of government housing.
The lack of basic facilities in government colonies and continued neglect of maintenance have put the lives of employees and their families living there at risk. Several government settlements have repeatedly seen incidents such as ceiling plaster falling, drainage lines getting blocked, and buildings collapsing.
The court has also raised questions about construction and structural audits. It has asked when these government colonies were built and what timeline has been set for their regular structural audits. It has also asked which authority has the power to declare a building uninhabitable or dangerous.
The court has sought answers on the grievance redressal system as well, what mechanism employees have to file complaints about repairs needed in their housing, and how long it takes to resolve them. It has also asked whether any employees or members of the public have been injured in the last 10 years due to plaster falling, ceiling collapse, short circuits or similar accidents, and how many complaints are currently pending with the administration.
There are also questions on reconstruction, how long it usually takes to vacate a building after it is declared dangerous and for new construction to begin. The court has directed that a complete list of government buildings currently awaiting demolition or reconstruction, along with the present status of their approvals, be placed before it.
The court has also sought a clear answer on the budget, how much money is sanctioned every year for the maintenance of government housing and how much is actually spent. It must also be stated how many repair proposals are stalled solely for lack of budget.
