HC pushes Gwalior MC for Swarnrekha revival project report

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the Gwalior Municipal Corporation to accelerate efforts to revive the Swarnrekha River and lay sewer lines in the city. The court ordered a detailed project report (DPR), emphasizing the need for efficient and coordinated action to address pressing environmental concerns.

The directive was issued during a November 26, 2024 hearing in Vishvajeet Ratoniya vs. State of Madhya Pradesh & Others. The court reiterated its earlier November 20, 2024 order mandating the DPR submission.

Counsel for the Gwalior Municipal Corporation informed the court that a consultant had prepared the DPR, but it had been sent to Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, for vetting. The corporation assured the court of efforts to expedite the requisition of the vetted report, expected within a month. The court directed the municipal corporation to ensure timely receipt of the vetting report for further scrutiny and approval.

The court highlighted the significance of social audits in urban governance, referencing Sections 2(54), 130-B, and 131-A of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1956. Social audits should be implemented cautiously but could adapt projects to the specific needs of cities and localities.

Observing a lack of coordination between the state government and the municipal corporation, the High Court called for greater synergy to resolve the issue efficiently. It stressed the importance of pre-hearing document exchanges between counsels for the parties involved to ensure both sides are adequately prepared, streamlining the judicial process.

Amicus Curiae Shri Gupta underscored the urgency, noting that the delay in the DPR submission could hinder timely action to address the Swarnrekha River and city sewer infrastructure challenges. He suggested that once vetted by MANIT, the DPR could be evaluated by the court for alignment with the region’s environmental and urban development goals.

The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for the week of January 2, 2025. The municipal corporation must ensure all steps are taken to present the vetted DPR by that date.

This case is a critical juncture in Gwalior’s efforts to restore the Swarnrekha River and improve urban infrastructure, setting a precedent for addressing environmental challenges in Madhya Pradesh and beyond.

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