Shailesh Kumar vs State Of Bihar & Ors

The petitioners, by the present Public Interest Litigation, have approached this Court for restraining the respondents from constructing a road from

Nalanda to Islampur on the ostensible ground that if such road is constructed, it would pass through some portion of a playfield appurtenant to a school

and which field has been donated by the local villagers including the family of the petitioners for the purposes of being utilized as a playground.

It has been alleged that Plot Nos. 428, 431 and 432, which fall in the field of the school, would be taken over if the road in question is constructed

with the alignment as of present.

In this context, it has been alleged that the earlier alignment of the road, which was approved, did not cross through any portion of the playground,

but the aforesaid alignment has been changed only to save/protect the private lands of respondent Nos. 8 and 9.

Considering the aforesaid submission of the petitioners, this Court vide order dated 16.02.2018 directed the respondent No. 1 (Secretary of the

Road Construction Department, Govt. of Bihar) to look into the facts and circumstances of the case, the original plan for the construction of the road,

deviation from the same, if any, and the reasons for deviation and submit a report regarding the original alignment plan and the reasons for the change

in the aforesaid alignment, if any.

Pursuant to the aforesaid direction of this Court, an affidavit was sworn by respondent No. 1, intimating this Court that an Inquiry Team had been

set-up for finding the actual state of affairs and the report of the Inquiry Team dated 19.04.2018 was brought on record. The enquiry report, inter alia,

stated that the road was being constructed on the demarcation which was sanctioned by the Chief Engineer, Central Design Organization, Patna on

21.11.2013 and the road in question was found to be constructed according to the demarcation laid down. The total land of the playground of the

school in question is 265.59 decimals and out of the aforesaid land, only 38.75 decimals in one corner of the land has been made use of for the

construction of the road. The aforesaid usage of the playground has hardly affected its total area and that the Road Construction Department was

about to initiate process for getting No Objection Certificate/transfer of land from the Human Resources Department.

It has also been submitted on behalf of the respondents that before starting the construction of the proposed road, the Technical Expert Committee

came up with three proposals regarding the alignment. However, only one, out of such three proposals, was technically approved, taking into account

that the alignment with 90 degree angle is not advisable and only such alignment be accepted/approved, which aims at minimum diversion.

We have perused the reports.

It appears that towards the northern end of the playground of the school in question, a road is being constructed, but there is no change in the

alignment. The aforesaid alignment appears to have been chosen, taking into account that the road does not cross through congested area and with

such alignment, it would require minimal acquisition. The Chief Engineer, in his affidavit, has affirmed the fact that out of the three alignment

proposals, the one on which the road was being constructed, was approved as per the standard specification, which took into account that the

approved alignment would facilitate safer and smooth movement of vehicles. It also took into account good geometry and better communication for

road users for approving the present alignment.

An independent enquiry was also conducted by the Deputy Collector, Land Reforms, Hilsa, the Executive Engineer, Rural Works Department,

Hilsa and the Circle Officer, Islampur at the instance of the District Magistrate, Nalanda and it was found that the road is being constructed as per the

approved alignment.

Since, the alignment was approved by the Highway Planning and Investigation Circle and only a minuscule area of the playground is being

affected, we are of the view that no interference is required with the construction of the road in question with the aforesaid approved alignment.

The petition is thus dismissed.

Needless to state that all interim orders stand vacated.