The Hindu 10.01.2014
Corporation authorities asked to clear major roads
Section 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) was used to wake up the authorities of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) regarding man-made obstructions on major roads of the city.
After hearing a petition filed by former general secretary of Ganjam Bar Association (GBA), Manoj Kumar Patnaik, under Section 133 of the CrPC, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Berhampur, Bijay Kumar Das, directed the BMC authorities to complete construction and renovation work immediately to get the roads cleared for the smooth flow of traffic.
As per the petitioner some major roads like the Hanuman Bazar road, Ramlingam tank road, road in front of Khallikote Autonomous College, Dhanamera Street, Billa Street of the city had become too dangerous for pedestrians as well vehicles because of man-made obstructions. He also mentioned a long existing open manhole at the square near the sub-registrar’s office in the city.
Debris everywhere
Due to the obstruction caused by piles of construction materials as well as debris, these roads had got congested.
Accidents were occurring at regular intervals because of this. It was alleged that the construction and renovation work was delayed and at times was getting stopped for several days. “As the BMC authorities had shown callousness towards this problem and the citizens were facing problems for past several months I preferred to opt for legal intervention under Section 133 of the CrPC,” said Mr Patnaik.
Ex-general secretary of Ganjam Bar Association files petition in court for directive to BMC administration.
