HC slams State for lax attitude on illegal hoardings

THE GOAN NETWORK | DECEMBER 06, 2022, 12:35 AM IST

PANAJI

The Bombay High Court at Goa has pulled up the Goa government and associated regulatory agencies for the "casual manner" in dealing with the issue of illegal hoardings along highways and major roads. 

In an order passed late last week, the High Court berated the statutory authorities for failing to comply with its orders. 

"The approach of the concerned authorities and specifically the National Highway Authority is found to be very casual… It is now expected that both the District Magistrates should further explain under the affidavit as to what action has been taken against the hoardings which are found illegal and beyond the specifications. They should submit the timeline within which such hoardings are required to be removed by giving directions to the concerned local authorities," the High Court bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Bharat Deshpande, ruled. 

At the previous hearing the High Court had asked the authorities like the CCP, the NHAI the District Collectors to list out the action that is being taken against the hoardings. 

Hearing a suo motu writ petition that was initiated way back in 2007 (15 years ago), the High Court directed the State government municipal corporation, municipalities, panchayats, local authorities and the National Highway Authority to place on record the current status of all the existing hoardings in their respective jurisdiction with appropriate details as to which of these hoardings are authorised and complying with the regulations with specific remarks that although permitted they are not in any manner a public nuisance. 

On Friday when the affidavits were filed, the High Court observed that the "affidavits of both the District Magistrates of North and South show that the survey has been conducted… Surprisingly, the said committee and the District Magistrates have observed that the number of the hoardings and more specifically those which are identified within four metres from the road are not causing any distraction."  

"The District Magistrates did not refer to any provision of the law under which they are claiming that such hoardings are not obstructing the flow of traffic or causing hindrances," the High Court observed. 

The matter has now been posted for hearing on December 16.


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