Build a durable, long-lasting court edifice: Bombay High Court to PWD

The Bombay High Court has ordered the Public Works Department to incorporate expert recommendations into their construction plans to ensure the 17-floor Mazgaon court building is constructed with sturdy materials.

The observation was made while hearing a petition filed by the Mazgaon Court bar association, which has claimed that there is a delay in redeveloping the building, which was vacated overnight in 2013 on instructions of the High Court after it was found to be in a dangerous condition.

A division bench of Justice S C Dharmadhikari and Justice Bharati Dangre said: "This Court by not treating this as an adversarial litigation is ensuring that quality construction comes up at the site and which would definitely last longer than the earlier construction was meant to last. See to it that the building at least stands for over 10 to 12 years."

The court while forwarding a report of the structural designer and consultant appointed from the panel of the court receiver's office to the authorities said "We impress upon the Government and equally the Public Works Department that it is possible to put up quality construction even at the state's expense. If appropriate safety measures are taken at the inception, not only precious public funds and money is saved but the durable and strong construction can come up at the site by involving third-party experts."

Government Pleader P H Kantharia appearing for the state assured the court that recommendations/suggestions made in the report will be duly considered and necessary modifications to the new construction would be done.

OLD COURT BLDG

• The five-storey Mazgaon court building was inaugurated in 1997, by then Chief Minister Manohar Joshi and Chief Justice, High court, M B Shah.
   
• There were 13 courts in the Mazgaon building covering several police stations such as Pydhonie, Dongri, JJ Marg, Nagpada,  Agripada and Kalachowki. 
   
• In 2013, it was declared dangerous. Since then the court has been functioning from the Sewree sessions court.