In the Matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation Vs State of Chhattisgarh

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2025:CGHC:59970-DB

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SOURABH BHILWAR

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Digitally signed by SOURABH BHILWAR Date: 2025.12.11 10:47:53 +0530

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HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR

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NAFR

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WPPIL No. 40 of 2025

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In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation Regarding News Published In Bilaspur Bhoomi, Haribhoomi, Bilaspur Dated 28-03-2025 As Follows Udti Dhul Va Avyawastha Ki Vajah Se Aaye Din Ho Rhe Gambhir Hadse, Maniyari Nadi Ke Dono Taraf Ki Sadak Gaddhe Me Tabdil, Jarjar Pool Par Mout Bankar Daud Rahe Bhari Vahan

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... Petitioner

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versus

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1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Chief Secretary, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur, District-Raipur, Chhattisgarh

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2 - Secretary Public Works Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

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3 - Secretary Public Health Engineering Department, Mahanadi Bhavan, Atal Nagar Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

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4 - Engineer-In-Chief Public Works Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

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5 - Collector Bilaspur, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

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6 - Executive Engineer Public Works Department, Bridge Division Bilaspur, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh

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7 - Chief Engineer Public Health Engineering Department, Bilaspur, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh.

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8 - Chief Municipal Officer Barela, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

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9 - Project Director Project Implementation Unit (Piu) Bilaspur, D-16, Hig Abhilasha Parisar, Behind Hightech Bus Stand, Tifra Bilaspur (C.G.) (As Per Honble Court Order Dated- 15-04-2025)

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10 - Ministry Of Road Transport And Highways Government Of India, Through Regional Officer, Pension Baada Raipur (C.G.) (As Per Honble Court Order Dated 08-05-2025)

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... Respondent(s)

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(Cause title is taken from CIS)

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For Respondents/ UoI	: Ms. Annapurna Tiwari and Mr. Bhupendra Pandey, CGC
For Respondents/ State	: Mr. Y. S. Thakur, Additional Advocate General
For Respondent/ NHAI	: Ms. Aishley Shrivastava, Advocate on behalf of Mr. Dhiraj Wankhede, Advocate

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Hon’ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon’ble Shri Bibhu Datta Guru, Judge

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Judgment on Board

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Per Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice

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10/12/2025

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The present WPPIL has been registered on the basis of an office reference made pursuant to a news report published in the Bilaspur Bhoomi (Haribhoomi), Bilaspur edition dated 28/03/2025. The said news item highlighted the serious public inconvenience

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and continuous accidents allegedly caused due to the deteriorated condition of the roads on both sides of the Maniyari River and the accumulation of dust and disorder in the area. Taking note of the issues of public safety and the urgency reflected in the report, this Court initiated suo motu proceedings to ascertain the factual position and to ensure that the concerned authorities take appropriate remedial measures.

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In light of the concerns highlighted in the aforesaid news report and the issues brought to the notice of this Court, certain directions were issued from time to time to monitor the progress of the remedial measures.

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On the last date of hearing i.e. 10/10/2025, this Court has directed the concerned Secretary to file a fresh affidavit informing about the completion of the work in question. In compliance of the above direction, the Secretary, Department of Public Works, Govt. of Chhattisgarh has filed his personal affidavit on 09/12/2025, which reads as under :-

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“1. That the instant writ petition has been registered on Suo Moto cognizance taken by the Hon'ble Court on the basis of news item published in Bilaspur Bhoomi, Haribhoomi, Bilaspur dated 28.03.2025 as " उडत⑀�ध❂�लव अ्䵤 वቝ嶋�कᕀ�वजहस㡇�आएद☿�नह�रह�गᜂ�भⵀ�रह��स㡇� " and " मन⠿नय⼾�र� न� कᕀ��न�त⑀रफकᕀ�स㡇डℼकᕀगᜂቂ䊔�म$ त⑀बⱍ� ल ".

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2. That, vide order dated 10.10.2025 the Hon'ble Court was pleased to direct the Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, Department of Public Works to file

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affidavit informing about the completion of work with respect to Maniyari Bridge.

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3. It is most humbly submitted that the repairing work of Maniyari Bridge has been completed on 25.11.2025. Copy of report dated 26.11.2025 with photographs is filed herewith as ANNEXURE D/1.”

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From perusal of the above affidavit filed by the Secretary, Department of Public Works, Government of Chhattisgarh, pursuant to the directions of this Court dated 10/10/2025, it stands duly confirmed that the repairing work of the Maniyari Bridge has been fully completed on 25/11/2025. The completion report along with supporting photographs has also been placed on record.

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In view of the subsequent developments and the compliance demonstrated by the authorities, the grievance highlighted in the news item, which formed the foundation of the present writ petition (PIL) registered on suo motu cognizance, no longer survives for adjudication.

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Accordingly, the instant WPPIL stands disposed of as the purpose of the proceedings is satisfied and no further orders are required at this stage, and the file of the present PIL is consigned to record. -

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Sd/Sd/(Bibhu Datta Guru) (Ramesh Sinha) Judge Chief Justice

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$ Bhilwar

In the Matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation v. State of Chhattisgarh

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In the Matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation v. State of Chhattisgarh

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