August 17, 2026 Sl. No.1 Court No.1 s.biswas WPA(P) 256 of 2026 Partha Ghosh and others vs. The Howrah Municipal Corporation and others Mr. Sunny Nandy Mr. Rajib Maity Ms. Yamini Tiwari Mr. Manmohan Singh Roop Roy ... for the petitioners Ms. Sonal Sinha Mr. Ankit Sureka ... for the H.M.C. Mr. Ajit Kumar Mishra, AGP Mr. Gopal Krishna Sarkar Mr. Milind Mohul Ghosh ... for the State The present writ petition has been preferred primarily praying for issuance of necessary direction upon the respondents, particularly Howrah Municipal Corporation (in short, HMC) ‘to forthwith take effective and permanent remedial measures for removal of severe and recurring water logging in Satkari Chatterjee Lane, Nilmani Mullick Lane, and Madhusudan Biswas Lane all situated within Ward No.19, and to ensure proper drainage, sewerage and sanitation facilities in the said locality’. Mr. Nandy, learned advocate appearing for the petitioners submits that the petitioners are espousing 2 the cause of the residents of Satkari Chatterjee Lane, Nilmani Mullick Lane and Madhusudan Biswal Lane under Ward No.19 within the jurisdiction of HMC. The inhabitants of the concerned area had been the worst sufferers for recurring water logging and unhygienic conditions prevailing in the locality. He contends that water logging in the concerned locality persists for a long period of time causing insurmountable inconvenience to the persons leaving in the locality and that in spite of issuance of repeated representations, no steps have been taken. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioners have approached this Court. Records reveal that when the matter was last taken up for hearing on 30th July, 2026, the HMC was directed to file a comprehensive report in the form of affidavit. Pursuant to such direction, a report in the form of affidavit has been affirmed by the respondent no.4 and has been placed before this Court. Let the same be kept on record. A copy of the same has also been handed over to Mr. Nandy, in Court today. From the said report, it appears that to address the drainage and water logging issues in the locality, a comprehensive desilting programme has been undertaken under Phase-I. As per the approved DPR, nine major drainage stretches have been identified for desilting including the stretches indicated in the prayer 3 portion of the writ petition. Thereafter tenders were floated and work orders were issued. Subsequent thereto, out of nine drainage stretches, desilting work in six stretches has already been completed and the overall physical progress of the Phase-I desilting work is approximately 65%. In the report, it has also been stated that HMC is closely monitoring the situation by taking necessary measures for effective drainage and prompt removal of accumulated rainwater and the remaining work would be completed as expeditiously as possible. Mr. Sureka, learned advocate appearing for HMC further submits that all effective and necessary steps have been taken to address the grievances of the petitioners and the remaining work under Phase-I is expected to be completed within a month from date. Heard the learned advocates appearing for the respective parties. From the records placed before us, it appears that steps have been taken by HMC and its functionaries towards desilting and prompt removal of accumulated rain water. However, it appears that 35% of the work has still not been completed. In view thereof, this Court disposes of the writ petition directing the HMC and its functionaries to take all effective steps for completion of the remaining work 4 under Phase-I towards desilting and removal of water logging within a period of a month from date. There shall, however, be no order as to costs. Urgent Photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, shall be granted to the parties as expeditiously as possible, upon compliance of all formalities. (Atarup Banerjee, J.) (Tapabrata Chakraborty, A.C.J.)