Ambazari Flood PIL: High Court blasts Irrigation Deptt, NMC

 

 

The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court has strongly criticised the Irrigation Department and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) for their failure to install gates at the Ambazari Lake spillway, which is crucial for controlling floods in the city. The comments were made during a hearing, on Wednesday, by Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Vrushali Joshi. The PIL is linked to the devastating floods that occurred in September 2023 due to heavy rains and water overflow from Ambazari Lake. Many citizens were affected, and a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by flood victims seeking answers and action from the authorities.

 

During the court hearing, the Irrigation Department informed the judges that they had proposed building four radial gates at Ambazari Lake to help release up to 75 cubic meters of water. However, their efforts to start the project failed as they could not find a contractor even after inviting tenders twice. The court was not satisfied with this explanation. Justice Sambre questioned the department’s seriousness and verbally said, “You are not sensitive about the lives of citizens.” The judges were visibly upset and criticized the way the government departments were handling the issue. Adding to the concern, the petitioner’s lawyer, Advocate Tushar Mandlekar, informed the court that illegal structures along the Naag River had still not been removed, despite a High Court order issued on January 17.

 

He showed photographs to the court that clearly displayed how the flow of the river was being blocked at several points, especially near Mokshadham. The court then questioned the responsible departments about their failure to act on the previous orders. Justice Sambre and Justice Joshi ordered that the Divisional Commissioner, Municipal Commissioner, and Executive Director of the Irrigation Department must appear in court in person at 10.30 am on Thursday. They must also present affidavits showing what steps have been taken to follow the court’s orders. This strong reaction from the High Court comes after repeated delays and inaction by the administration, even after the Ambazari floods. Adv Tushar Mandlekar represented the petitioners.