Orissa High Court asks Cuttack authorities to remove bamboo structures and hoardings; Flags “Artificial Scarcity” of Primary Subjects

The Orissa High Court on Tuesday asked about the preparedness of Cuttack city civic authorities for the likely severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’, which is likely to make landfall on Odisha coast between 24th^th and 25^th October

A special division bank of Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo i Justice V. Narasingh was hearing a PIL on the civic issues of Cuttack city. Although the matter was not before the hearing, the same was taken up with urgency due to the subsequent cyclone.

Mr. Bijay Kumar Dashthe president of the High Court Bar Association informed the bench that a number of huge bamboo structures are standing by the public roads all over the city even after the completion of Durga Puja. One such bamboo structure was also reported to have collapsed in Khan Nagar, causing damage to some parked vehicles, though no casualty was reported.

Next, the Court referred to the bulletin of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) which has issued the red alert for extremely heavy rains and strong winds in some districts of the State, including Cuttack.

“… there would be a wind speed of 100-120 km per hour and if the bamboo structures are allowed to remain as such, there is a likelihood of casualties and also major damage to vehicles, houses and property of the public in general and therefore necessary orders. will be issued to the respective Puja Committees for immediate disposal. he ordered

The appearing lawyer Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) issued a letter issued by the Commissioner, CMC to all the Puja Committees to remove the puja mandap/light gates/stage and other temporary structures at the earliest, not later than within 24 hours.

Mr. Jagmohan MeenaDeputy Commissioner of Police, Cuttack stated that preparatory meetings have already been held for the cyclonic storm and all Inspectors in Charge (IICs) have been asked to talk to the Puja Committees to remove all temporary structures from the roads at the earliest.

Mr. Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, Collector, Cuttack He further informed the Division Bench that if the puja committees do not comply with the order of the CMC, the district administration will take steps for the demolition of these structures and the erring committees will be denied NOC in the year coming

In addition, the CMC commissioner assured the Court that the necessary measures have already been taken to avoid waterlogging due to heavy rains. Also, there would be no disruption in the supply of drinking water, which will be provided by the CMC on a door-to-door basis.

The Collector stressed that the electricity department has been alerted to facilitate the restoration of electricity as soon as possible, if there is a failure in electricity supply due to the cyclone.

The collector also pointed out that some vendors, taking advantage of the situation, had tried to create artificial scarcity of basic commodities like vegetables and groceries, but later, after the intervention of the district authorities, the prices have come down and the stock was sufficient of the goods have remained.

The Board directed the CMC authorities to remove all the hoardings installed at different places in the city for advertisement purposes and they were also directed to cut the branches of the trees which are in dangerous condition.

Before parting with the order, the High Court thanked the district authorities and hoped that the cyclone would cause minimal damage to the city.

“This Court places on record its deep sense of appreciation for the proactive measures taken by the Collector, Cuttack, DCP, Cuttack and the Commissioner, Cuttack Municipal Corporation to meet the demand due to Cyclone ‘DANA’. And sincerely hopes may the cyclone cause the least damage.”

Case Title: Registrar (Judicial), High Court of Orissa, Cuttack v. State of Odisha and Ors.

Case No: Suo Motu WP(C) PIL No.2140 of 2020

Date of order: October 22, 2024

Counsel for the petitioners: Er. NK Mohanty, Amicus Curiae

Counsel for the defendants: Mr. Jyoti Prakash Patnaik, Government Advocate; Mr. Debasis Nayak-A, Addl. Government Lawyer & Advocate of CMC; Mr. Bijay Kumar Dash, Advocate President, Orissa High Court Bar Association

Click here to read/download the order