HC Orders NHAI: Cooperate or Fund Katol-Fetri Road Construction
Katol Fetri Road Construction: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court recently issued a stern directive to the forest department regarding the widening of the Katol Naka to Fetri road. The court emphasized that if the forest department does not cooperate with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) by providing necessary data, it should fund the road construction itself. This directive was part of a larger legal battle centered around public interest litigation and the expansion of vital infrastructure in the region.
The Court’s Directive: A Matter of Accountability
Background of the Case (Katol Fetri Road Construction)
The issue began when former High Court Bar Association (HCBA) president Adv Arun Patil filed a public interest litigation concerning the widening of the Katol Naka to Fetri road. This road, crucial for the connectivity between Nagpur and nearby areas, runs through sensitive forest land managed by the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM). The legal proceedings have brought to light the friction between development goals and environmental concerns.
The Forest Department’s Role
The court criticized the forest department for not providing essential records required by the NHAI to proceed with the widening project. Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri made it clear that non-cooperation would result in the forest department being held responsible for funding the entire construction.
NHAI’s Stance
Adv Anish Kathane, representing the NHAI, informed the court that a study was underway to determine whether the road could be widened using bitumen. However, the forest department’s lack of cooperation was stalling the project. The NHAI has proposed a seven-meter widening on each side of the road, but the plan remains in limbo due to the absence of necessary data from the forest department.
The Environmental Concerns
Impact on Gorewada Zoo
One of the primary concerns is the road’s proximity to the Gorewada Zoo, a significant environmental and wildlife conservation area. The court had earlier expressed concerns over the safety risks posed by the existing road structure, particularly for two-wheelers. The potential impact on the zoo’s ecosystem adds another layer of complexity to the issue.
Bitumen vs. Paver Blocks: A Safety Debate
The petitioner’s counsel, senior advocate Firdos Mirza, argued for the road to be developed entirely with bitumen rather than paver blocks. The latter, according to the court, could pose significant safety risks, especially for two-wheeler traffic. The debate over the appropriate material for road construction highlights the broader concerns about safety and durability in infrastructure development.
Wadi Flyover: Progress and Expectations
Current Status
In a related development, the Public Works Department (PWD) informed the court that the Wadi flyover would be operational by September 15. This flyover is another critical infrastructure project aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity in the region.
Future Developments
The PWD also provided updates on the flyover connecting the RTO to the university campus, which is expected to be completed by March 2025. The court has emphasized the importance of maintaining service roads in good condition to support these major infrastructure projects.
Judges’ On-Site Visit: A Ground Reality Check
Observations from the Amravati Road
During a recent visit to Amravati, five judges from the Nagpur Bench observed that there was no plantation on either side of the road or in the median. This observation raised questions about the implementation of earlier plans for greenery, which were supposed to accompany the road construction.
The Importance of Greenery in Infrastructure Projects
The absence of planned greenery highlights a critical issue in infrastructure development—balancing construction with environmental sustainability. The court’s observations may lead to future directives aimed at ensuring that such projects adhere to environmental standards.
The ongoing legal battle over the Katol Naka to Fetri road widening project underscores the delicate balance between infrastructure development and environmental conservation. The Bombay High Court’s directive to the forest department to either cooperate with the NHAI or fund the construction themselves is a clear message about accountability. As this case progresses, it will serve as a precedent for how similar conflicts between development and environmental protection are resolved in the future.
- What is the main issue in the Katol-Fetri road case? The main issue is the lack of cooperation from the forest department in providing necessary data to the NHAI for widening the road, leading the court to order them to either cooperate or fund the construction.(Katol Fetri Road Construction)
- Why is the Gorewada Zoo mentioned in this case? The Katol-Fetri road runs through the Gorewada Zoo, raising concerns about the environmental impact of the road widening on the zoo’s ecosystem.
- What materials are being debated for the road construction? The court and petitioners are debating whether the road should be constructed using bitumen or paver blocks, with safety concerns being a major factor.
- When will the Wadi flyover be operational? The Wadi flyover is expected to be operational by September 15, according to the PWD.
- What did the judges observe during their visit to Amravati? The judges observed the lack of planned greenery along the road, raising concerns about the implementation of environmental measures in infrastructure projects.
