PANJIM: The Bombay High Court at Goa has issued notice to State government authorities in a public interest litigation filed to ensure construction of a footpath and cycle track along Verla-Canca-Mapusa road which is being widened.
The division bench comprising of Justice M S Sonak and Justice M S Jawalkar in a PIL filed by Goa Foundation on December 18, has issued notices to Chief Secretary, Public Works Department, Town and Country Planning Department, Deputy Collector North, Mapusa Municipal Council and Verla-Canca panchayat. The notices are returnable by January 8, 2020, when the matter would be heard next.
The petitioner has sought directions to be issued to PWD, Village panchayat and Mapusa Municipal Council to ensure construction of a footpath and cycle track along the Verla-Canca-Mapusa main road during the process of widening of the road which is presently underway.
The petitioner states that the said road experiences heavy traffic of all kinds. “Buses, trucks, transport vehicles, cars, taxis, two wheelers, cyclists and pedestrians regularly use this road for their daily commute. However, the authorities in complete dereliction of their duties, only cater to those with motorized forms of transport, thus neglecting cyclists and pedestrians,” the petitioner said.
Petitioner also claimed that no provisions are made for the easy movement of those with disabilities.
The petitioner approached court with a prayer for necessary directions to the authorities to prepare and implement a plan for a properly designed and illuminated pedestrian footpath/cycle track along the Verla-Canca-Mapusa road commencing from Parra village border in accordance with the regulations.
The PIL also prays for directions to the authorities to expeditiously remove all unauthorised structures commencing from Parra village border, along Verla-Canca-Mapusa main road, especially the Canca circle.
