Doppler radar system issue:BMC chief asked to appear before HC

Irked with the lackadaisical approach of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner towards finalising a site to set up doppler radar system in the city, the Bombay High Court today directed the civic chief to appear before it next week.
"Considering the seriousness of the issue we have been passing lengthy orders since July this year. But till date nothing much has been done by the corporation. Probably the municipal commissioner is not aware of the seriousness. Hence, it would be better the commissioner appears before us so that we can tell him that the issue is important," a division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M S Sonak said.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate Atal Bihari Dubey on the heavy rains that brought Mumbai to a halt in June this year.
There is one doppler radar system in Colaba weather station, and a state government-appointed committee had recommended to set up another such system in suburban Mumbai.
While the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has identified three sites for construction of the system, the civic body has still not taken any decision.
BMC counsel S U Kamdar today informed the court that the hydraulic department of the corporation had submitted a report that the sites were not suitable.

"The commissioner is now looking into the issue and will take a decision soon," Kamdar said.
The court, however, got irked with the delay and said, "The commissioner does not seem to be taking his work seriously. Or he is not impressed with the seriousness of the issue. The issue assumes importance in a city like Mumbai."
"We direct the commissioner to appear before us next week and bring with him all details including the hydraulic department report on the matter. If in this one week the commissioner has found a solution, then he can come tell us that in person," Chief Justice Chellur said.