Cuttack: The Orissa high court has set April 23 as the deadline for Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to comply with its earlier order directing restoration of the walking track at Satyabrata Stadium inside Barabati Fort.Hearing a PIL on civic issues in Cuttack on April 9, the HC noted that its March 26 directive ordering removal of concrete paver blocks and restoration of the track to its original unpaved condition had not yet been implemented.Deputy solicitor general Prasanna Kumar Parhi, appearing for the ASI, sought seven days’ time for compliance. Allowing the request, the two-judge bench of Justice K R Mohapatra and Justice V Narasingh adjourned the matter to April 23 and directed D B Garnayak, superintendent, ASI Puri circle to file a compliance affidavit by then.The court had earlier taken cognisance of media reports alleging that the walking track was being concretised despite potential health hazards and ongoing plans for comprehensive redevelopment of the stadium. Concerns were also raised about possible wasteful expenditure.During the hearing, Garnayak said the ASI would issue necessary permission/NOC to the Cuttack Municipal Corporation for cleaning work and installation of bio-toilets in the stadium.The bench also directed the Water Corporation of Odisha (Watco) to carry out a survey to provide drinking water facilities. Till then, the civic body has been asked to make temporary arrangements for water supply.Collector (Cuttack) Shinde Dattatraya Bhausaheb, who joined the proceedings, was directed to place on record a revised detailed project report (DPR) relating to the overall development of Satyabrata Stadium submitted to the ASI by the next date of hearing. The matter will come up for further hearing on April 23.Expressing concern over public safety and underscoring the risks associated with hard paving surfaces, the court in its March 26 order had observed : “In view of the health hazards posed by these concrete blocks, especially their hard, non-shock-absorbing surface that can cause joint strain, foot problems, and increase the risk of slips and falls—particularly for the elderly and children—and since the authorities chose to sacrifice citizens’ basic right to walk safely, this court directs the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to immediately stop laying paver blocks on the walking track of Satyabrata Stadium.”
