A cowshed encroachment at Mauryalok, Patna. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, May 4: Displeased over the slow pace of removal of encroachment on busy roads in Patna, the high court today directed the superintendent of police (traffic), nodal officer-cum-additional commissioner of Patna Municipal Coproration (PMC), nodal officer-cum-deputy SP (police control room) to be present in the court on May 16, to explain the situation on encroachment, especially by khatals (cowshed).

A division bench of Justice Shiva Kirti Singh and Justice Ravi Ranjan passed the direction during the hearing of a PIL by Barun Kumar Sharma and some similar petitions seeking removal of illegal encroachments from busy roads.

The state government counsel submitted that the government has removed encroachments from Bailey Road, Raja Bazaar, Boring Road, New Secretariat and also informed that the station house officers of the areas concerned have been directed to ensure that no land is encroached upon again on the vacated areas.

Not satisfied with the government’s reply, the court while posting the matter for hearing on May 16, directed the two police officials and a PMC official to be present in the court to explain the scenario.

The court also directed the government to carry out videography of the roads, which have been encroached by the illegal occupants, including khatal owners.

The court also said it would take stern action against the erring officials if they did not take effective steps in removing the khatals.

While appearing for one of the petitioners, Sunil Kumar submitted that despite repeated orders of the court, encroachment have not been cleared from the Justice BN Ray Road, underneath the Rajendra Nagar overbridge, Planetarium.

On this, the court asked the PMC counsel Vishwa Bibhuti Singh, who accepted the existence of a khatal beside the Planetarium. The court directed the PMC to file its reply on the matter by the next date of hearing.

The court said it is unfortunate that the administration has failed to take action against a khatal being run in the radius of 100m of Kotwali police station, which has failed to get it cleared.