#Public Works

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has ruled that leaving a 20-foot-deep pit from a defunct waste project violates citizens' right to life under Article 21 due to risks of injury and disease. It has directed the Gram Panchayat to decide on restoration within one month and implement it within six weeks if the claim is meritorious, setting a precedent for post-project environmental accountability by local bodies.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that under Clause 9 of a work order, payment can only be reduced if the work fails to satisfy the Executive Engineer-not merely because the actual cost is lower than estimated. Certification of completion bars unilateral rate reduction, reinforcing contractual sanctity in public works contracts.

Bombay High Court holds that residents suffering damage from blasting during highway construction are entitled to compensation, even if their land was not acquired under LARR Act 2013.

Bombay High Court emphasizes procedural transparency in public infrastructure projects through PIL, mandating documented compliance and real-time reporting to ensure public accountability.

Bombay High Court initiates suo motu PIL to monitor quality of underground cabling restoration work in Nagpur, establishing judicial oversight for public infrastructure projects.

Andhra Pradesh High Court directs state to release admitted dues of Rs. 46 lakhs for executed road construction work, holding delay violates constitutional rights under Articles 14 and 21.