HC seeks time-bound plan to stop rainwater entering homes

Nagpur: Taking serious note of rising incidents of rainwater entering residential houses, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court has directed the NMC and other authorities to submit a detailed, time-bound action plan by March 9.The court observed that large-scale cement concretisation of roads across the city has raised road levels, causing rainwater to flow into adjoining homes. Terming the issue serious, the bench asked authorities to spell out concrete measures planned and pre-monsoon works underway to prevent recurrence.
The directions came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by Janmanch president Rajeev Jagtap opposing cement concretisation of roads. The matter was heard by Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta, who expanded the scope of the petition to include road-related issues across Vidarbha.During the hearing, arguments focused on rising road heights due to concretisation and the consequent flooding of nearby houses. Expressing displeasure over the overall situation and the functioning of the civic body, the bench sought specific responses on monsoon preparedness.The municipal corporation orally informed the court that it has initiated the process of seeking technical advice from VNIT. However, the bench directed the civic body and other concerned authorities to file a comprehensive reply detailing pre-monsoon measures to protect homes from rainwater inflow.