CWP No. 6196 of 2011 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP No. 6196 of 2011 Date of decision:- 07.04.2011 Kuljit Singh Bedi, former Municipal Councillor, Ward No. 27, Mohali, r/o Kothi No. 1779, Phase 3-B-2, Mohali. ...... Petitioner Vs State of Punjab and others. ......Respondents CORAM:-HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RANJAN GOGOI, CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KANWALJIT SINGH AHLUWALIA Present: Mr. Ranjivan Singh, Advocate, for the petitioner. * * * * RANJAN GOGOI, C.J. (ORAL) Notice of motion. On asking of the Court, Ms. Madhu Dayal, learned Additional Advocate General, Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the State as well as the U.T. Administration, Chandigarh. This PIL has been filed seeking orders from the Court to ensure adequate water supply to the residents of Mohali in particular and also Chandigarh during the period 05.04.2011 to 20.04.2011. According to the petitioner, water supply is likely to be adversely affected during the aforesaid period on account of closure/repair works of the Bhakra Main Line Canal which is the major source of water supply to Mohali and Chandigarh. There can be no manner of doubt that the decision of the CWP No. 6196 of 2011 2 authority to order repairs of the Bhakra Main Line Canal has been necessitated in the normal course and such repairs, even by closure of the Main Line Canal, has to be carried out in larger public interest. The petitioner very rightly has, therefore, not sought for any order of restraint on the closure/repair works of the Main Line Canal but has moved the Court for orders to ensure that minimum quantity of water is made available to the residents of Mohali and Chandigarh during the period of closure/repair. While the repair works, if required, by closure of the Main Line Canal would certainly go on, undoubtedly, the respondents – authorities would be under a legal obligation to ensure that minimum necessary supply of water is made available to the residents, if so required, through alternative means. The respondents will act accordingly. Beyond the above, no further direction will be justified. PIL shall stand disposed of in the above terms. (RANJAN GOGOI) CHIEF JUSTICE (KANWALJIT SINGH AHLUWALIA) JUDGE 07.04.2011 Amodh