IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 205 CWP-PIL-148-2025 (O&M) DATE OF DECISION : 1st July, 2025 Court on its own Motion …. Petitioner Versus State of Punjab …. Respondents CORAM : HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SHEEL NAGU, CHIEF JUSTICE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL * * * Present : Mr.Salil Sablok, Senior Deputy Advocate General, Punjab. Mr.B.S.Sidhu, Senior Advocate assisted by Mr.Jashandeep Sidhu, Advocate and Mr.Robin Singh Bhullar, Advocate for respondent No.2. Mr. Deepak Balyan, Additional Advocate General, Haryana. * * * SHEEL NAGU, CJ. (Oral) 1. Suo moto cognizance had been taken by this Court on a news item published on 17.06.2025 in the ‘Dainik Bhaskar’ pointing towards the problems arising to the residents of Peermuchalla of Zirakpur due to water-logging. 2. The Municipal Council, Zirakpur has filed a status report stating as under:- “2. That a news item was published in the Dainik Bhaskar on 17.06.2025 that a drain meant for draining out rainy water has been kept open by the Panchkula Authorities, due to which rain water entered in the Peermuchalla area causing accumulation of water in that area. In this regard, it is submitted that work of construction of road from Gianender Kumar 2025.07.02 10:23 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CWP-PIL-148-2025 -2- Peermuchalla area to Sector-26 Panchkula was being done by Panchkula Administration and the pipes laid by them were kept open due to which rain water of Panchkula city from that drainpipe and due to ongoing work of road the excess water of ‘Ghaggar’ river entered in the Peermuchalla area causing accumulation of water in the Peermuchalla area. It is reiterated that work of construction of road in this area and pipes for draining out rainy water was being done by Panchkula Administration. Therefore, everything was to be done by the Panchkula Administration instead of Municipal Council, Zirakpur. Now, the Panchkula Administration has made arrangements by laying underground pipes alongside the road from Peermuchalla to Sector-26 Panchkula making arrangement for draining out the rain water of the areas concerned upto ‘Ghaggar’ river and rain water will now fall in ‘Ghaggar’ river. Photos of the work done/being done by the Panchkula Administration are attached with this report as Annexure R-2/1. 3. That keeping in view the facts mentioned above, it is submitted that whatever work was to be done, was to be done by the Panchkula Administration, which has already been done as mentioned above and nothing was to be done by the Municipal Council, Zirakpur. In this regard a news item has also been published in the ‘Dainik Bhaskar’ on 21.06.2025, the photocopy of which is attached with this report as Annexure R-2/2.” 3. In view of the aforesaid, it appears that compliance to a considerable extent has been made. Gianender Kumar 2025.07.02 10:23 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CWP-PIL-148-2025 -3- 4. In case any of the grievances raised in this petition remains unredressed, any member of the locality shall be free to approach this Court by filing Public Interest Litigation. 5. With the aforesaid liberty, this petition stands disposed of. ( SHEEL NAGU ) CHIEF JUSTICE 1st July, 2025 ‘gian’ ( SUMEET GOEL ) JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes No Whether Reportable: Yes No Gianender Kumar 2025.07.02 10:23 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document