HC: Remove encroachments on road to Shegaon shrine

Nagpur: In some hope for development of Shegaon shrine, the famous pilgrimage centre in Buldhana, the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the local municipal council’s chief officer to remove all encroachments on the road from railway station to the temple in a week.
A division bench comprising justice Bhushan Gavai and justice Vinay Deshpande also asked the council to monitor that the encroachers don’t come back, with the warning that no excuses will be permitted in this regard.
The affidavit came in response to a plea by Shegaon citizens alleging gross neglect by the government of the shrine, one of the most popular pilgrimage places in India, thronged by lakhs of visitors every year.
The court also directed the state PWD executive engineer at Khamgaon to remain present on December 10 along with an affidavit containing his opinion regarding feasibility of the change in proposed realignment of the Road No. 5 between Balapur and Anand Sagar, so that the road can come up on the land free from occupation.
Earlier, amicus curiae Firdos Mirza and petitioner’s counsel Anil Kilor pointed out that the government was not serious about development of the place and citing excuses for delay in work. The petition was filed by Anandilal Bhutada and Suresh Jaipuriya —alleging gross neglect of the shrine by the government.
After the PIL was filed, the government sanctioned development plan in 2010 for Shegaon and allocated Rs 250 crore. It sanctioned Rs 193 crore in the first phase for laying of cement roads and sewer lines, water supply scheme, and development of bus terminus and railway station.