Will hand over next tranche of land for new Bombay High Court building: State govt to SC
The Hindu
Maharashtra government to hand over land for new Bombay High Court building by December, addressing space and safety concerns.
The Maharashtra government on Thursday (October 24, 2024) told the Supreme Court that it will hand over the next tranche of land by December for construction of the Bombay High Court’s new building complex in Mumbai’s Bandra region.
The State government also informed a Special Bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices B.R. Gavai and J.B. Pardiwala that so far it has not received the possession of the Air India building in south Mumbai where the mediation centre of the Bombay High Court is proposed to be shifted.
The State government said possession of 30.16 acre of land will be handed over to the High Court in a phased manner, adding the first tranche measuring 4.39 acres has already been given.
“The next tranche of land will be made available by December,” Birendra Saraf, Advocate General of the State government, told the Bench.
The law officer also said a judges committee headed by the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court has fixed the next meeting with state officials on November 12-13 to deal with issues.
He said the expression of interest is also received for the building project and a project meeting consultant is being recruited.
On repairs of PWD building, he said a structural audit has to be carried out.
The building was reportedly constructed without proper authorisation. The work continued despite a notice being issued to halt the illegal construction. The Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) responsible for overseeing the area has been suspended, and notices have been issued to the relevant division and executive engineers.