Work on court complex gets Rs 6 crore boost

14 October 2009

Work on the integrated district courts complex here is expected to receive an impetus with the state government approving the Rs 18 crore project. The government at its recent cabinet meeting has also approved immediate release of one-third of the estimated cost, that is Rs 6 crore, a move that is expected to kick-start the work again. At present, work on the basement and the ground floor of the courts complex is ready.

The principal district and sessions judge H R Deshpande told The Times of India on the sidelines of a workshop organized by DK Legal Services Authority here on Tuesday that the release of grant would expedite the construction of the second and third floors. The court's complex to be spread over six floors will have space to accommodate 30 courts on completion. At present, total of 22 courts function under the ambit of the district court.

Deshpande said there are no immediate plans to shift some courts that are temporarily functioning from the rented premises in Mangalore City Corporation office at Lalbagh to the completed part of the courts complex. "The complex must have all facilities in place including underground drainage before the courts can be shifted there," he said adding that the High Court would have to permit this move based on clearances by the PWD.

Gopal Naik, executive engineer, PWD said the cabinet move to release grants is handy for the department to expedite work on the courts complex. "This will bring in major players into picture as only those with requisite experience will be allowed to participate in the tendering process," he said. Major contractors have the wherewithal to take up quality construction at a faster pace, S P Chengappa, Mangalore Bar Association president said.

Naik said the department is also thinking of sending a revised estimate in view of the hike in cost of construction materials of late. The department has recently released the new schedule of rates (SR) based on hike in costs and this has to be factored while executing the project. If the government does not permit the revised estimate, the project may have to be completed within the approved estimated by cutting down on some areas, he said.

Chengappa who concurred with Deshpande that shifting some of the courts to the completed portion of the complex is ill advised however suggested that one of the three e-courts sanctioned for the district might be housed there. "E-Courts are like a repository of all court documents and will come in handy for both lawyers and litigants alike," he said. The other e-courts are likely to come up at Moodbidri and MCC building premises.
jaideep.shenoy@timesgroup.com

source times of india