Nearly seven years after the government gave its nod for setting up the First Class Judicial Magistrate and Civil Judge (junior division) court to address legal issues, the structure stands tall in the Hatkesh area. However it still awaits completion and final touches including, interiors, furniture, fixture, electrical and other residual work for the past more than two years. This apart from initiating construction work of housing units to accommodate magistrates and other infra facilities in the 4,200 square meter land, which is in limbo owing to lack of budgetary allocations.
So far around Rs. 12 crore has been spent on the project. While local legislator- Pratap Sarnaik had been following on the issue, a delegation of NCP leaders led by Dr. Asif Shaikh had recently met deputy chief minister-Ajit Pawar seeking his intervention towards the completion of the much needed judicial facility. “ Yes, we are in receipt of the government resolution. Funds amounting Rs. 9, 08,56, 102 for 21 listed works have been approved and we will ensure that the court building is completed as soon as possible.” confirmed municipal commissioner- Dilip Dhole.
Scores of litigants from the region are forced to travel all the way to Thane to attend civil and criminal cases. Moreover, policemen are also compelled to drive through the busy roads and highways with suspects and accused to produce them before the court. Covering an area of 79.4 square km, the twin-city has a population of more than 14 lakh. Moreover, the erstwhile rural policing apparatus has been elevated to commissionerate status by combining Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai Virar from 1 October-2020. Presently 13 police stations are covered under the jurisdiction of the MBVV police commissionerate.
With thousands of crimes registered each year, the rapid development of both the twin-cities compared to other regions in the district had put immense pressure on the available resources. With funds being allotted the building can now be completed, but the real matter of concern is the time consuming process for recruitment of staffers needed for the smooth functioning of the court, said an official.
