Petition applies ‘brake’ on test track in Navi Mumbai

Mumbai: The Bombay high court (HC) has directed the state to file its stand on a public interest litigation (PIL) that seeks a stay on the setting up of a brake test track at Nerul in Navi Mumbai. The PIL alleged that the authorities have not adhered to norms nor considered the aspect of the track being surrounded by a residential area and children’s park which could lead to pollution and inconvenience to locals.

The state has been asked to file its reply by January 10. A division bench of justices A.S. Oka and M.S. Sonak was hearing the PIL filed by Nerul resident Amarsinh Mokashi praying for directions to the Road Transport Office (RTO) and state transport department to not construct the brake test track in sector 19 of Nerul.

Work on the brake test track was undertaken recently after the high court ordered the authorities to expedite the laying of such track all over the state.

The petitioner claimed the track was close to the residential area. Also, the children’s park does not have parking space for 100 vehicles (light and heavy) that would be tested there per day. It also said that the track was being made on a plot over which high-tension wires passed.

Government pleader A.B. Vagyani said that the objections of the petitioner were invalid as sufficient precautions were taken to ensure that the court orders were complied with. He also said that the track was being constructed on a plot that had been reserved for amenities and hence there was no threat of inconvenience to the residents.

After hearing both sides, the court directed the state to file a detailed affidavit enumerating all measures taken by the state for the setting up of the track.