Permanent Lok Adalat issues notice to MC over condition of Guru Nanak Pura road

The Permanent Lok Adalat has issued a notice to the Municipal Corporation of Jalandhar following a public interest application filed by Advocate Mayan Ranaut, seeking immediate repair and resurfacing of a dangerously damaged road stretch between Guru Nanak Pura Railway Crossing and Chugitti Chowk.

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The notice comes after Advocate Ranaut moved the forum under Section 22-C of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, through his legal counsels Advocate Vikram Dutta and Advocate Taranum Ranaut.

The application highlights the severe condition of the road, located in the heart of the busy Guru Nanak Pura Market area, which has been left in disrepair for months. According to the plea, the road is riddled with deep potholes, cracked surfaces and broken patches that have made daily commuting hazardous for thousands of residents, including senior citizens, school children and business owners.

The petition points out that despite repeated complaints and reminders from local residents, the MC has failed to take any corrective measures, reflecting what it calls “gross negligence and civic apathy.”

The matter was heard by a bench comprising Chairman Jagdeep Singh Marok and Members DK Sharma and Sushma Handoo. After considering the arguments made by the petitioner’s counsels, the bench issued a notice to the Municipal Commissioner and fixed June 16 as the date for the next hearing.

The court’s intervention comes at a time when public frustration with deteriorating urban infrastructure is at an all-time high.

In his detailed submission, Advocate Ranaut described how the damaged road has become a daily source of danger for commuters and pedestrians. Skidding incidents involving two-wheelers, traffic bottlenecks, and injuries to pedestrians have become routine, particularly during the rainy season when water fills the potholes, making them invisible and increasing the risk of accidents.

He further argued that the current state of the road violates the residents’ fundamental right to safe movement and a dignified life, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

The application also draws attention to the MC’s broader failure to maintain internal streets and key public roads in Guru Nanak Pura. It states that no periodic maintenance plan appears to be in place and that the civic body has shown little urgency in addressing the issue, despite the clear and growing threat to public safety.

According to Advocate Ranaut, the deteriorating road conditions not only cause damage to vehicles but also pose serious risks to life and property. The petition emphasises that the issue at hand is not merely about road repairs but about the accountability of public authorities in upholding basic civic standards.

In his concluding remarks within the application, he urged the Permanent Lok Adalat to issue immediate directions to the MC to inspect and repair the affected stretch of road and to ensure that a long-term maintenance and pothole management plan is implemented for the area. The plea asserts that the petition has been filed solely in the public interest, without any personal or political motive.