Wake Up To Plight Of Lucknow Residents, Ensure Clean Drinking Water For Them: Allahabad HC Directs Municipal Corporation

The order was passed by a bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Om Prakash Shukla in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea filed by Utkarsh Lok Sewa Sansthan Through its President (Aruna Singh) in 2016, concerning the persistent grievances raised by residents regarding the quality of water supplied to their homes.

Hearing the matter on May 2, the Court was informed that adequate drinking water was not being provided to the residents of Sarai Hasanganj, Barauri, Barauliya, Akbar Nagar, Hardasi Khera, Duda Colony, Damdan Ka Purwa, Chinhat and Matiyari in Lucknow.

The Court noted that the PIL plea has remained pending since 2016, and the Municipal Corporation, Lucknow (LMC), did not "bother" to file a counter affidavit despite the court's clear direction in June 2021.

The Court was also apprised that in a meeting attended by officials of the UP Jal Nigam and the State Authorities, a proposal was mooted to redress the difficulties faced by the residents concerning proper drinking water. However, thereafter, nothing substantial has happened since then.

Against this backdrop, the Court, while observing that it "did not appreciate the apathy on the part of the LMC" in the matter, granted the corporation an opportunity to survey the area to ascertain/ ensure the availability of clean and adequate drinking water to the residents of the aforesaid areas.

The Court further directed that if it is found that this facility is lacking or deficient, remedies should be taken as measures. An affidavit in this regard should be filed positively by the next date of listing.

The matter will now come up for a hearing on May 29.

Appearances

Counsel for Petitioner: Moti Lal Yadav

Counsel for Respondent: C.S.C., Anand Swarup Rai, Anuj Singh, I.P.Singh, Shailendra Singh Chauhan

Case title - Utkarsh Lok Sewa Sansthan Thru Its President Smt.Aruna Singh vs.State Of U.P.Thru Its Secy.Arban Devp.Civil Sectt.Lko.And Ors.

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