Court Issues Directions to Ensure Worker Safety, Adequate Medical Facilities, and Road Infrastructure Improvements
In a landmark judgment, the Jharkhand High Court has issued comprehensive directions to address pressing health and infrastructure concerns surrounding the Chaliyama Steel Plant in Rajnagar, Saraikela Kharsawan District. This decision comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Nageshwar Acharya and others, which highlighted severe deficiencies in parking facilities, occupational health care, and emergency medical infrastructure at the plant operated by M/s Rungta Mines Limited.
The court emphasized that the right to health, recognized under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, extends to all workers and public commuters, particularly in hazardous industries like steel manufacturing. The court noted that the State has a constitutional duty to ensure adequate health care, sanitation, and fair wages for workers.
The PIL brought to light the lack of internal parking facilities at the plant, resulting in heavy vehicles using public roads, causing severe traffic congestion and posing risks to commuters. The court directed the enforcement of Rule 41 of the Jharkhand Building Bye-laws, 2016, mandating the provision of parking facilities within industrial premises.
Additionally, the court addressed the inadequate medical facilities, noting that the nearest hospital was 12 kilometers away. Directions were issued to establish emergency medical and trauma care facilities near the plant and highway corridor, with an emphasis on exploring Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) participation by the plant for strengthening regional medical infrastructure.
The judgment also called for the upgrading of nearby highways, installation of street lighting, speed-monitoring devices, and prevention of unauthorized roadside parking by heavy vehicles. The court directed the authorities to develop designated parking and holding zones for heavy vehicles to ensure equitable use of public infrastructure.
The court has mandated a comprehensive compliance affidavit from the authorities within six months to report on the progress of implementing these directions.
Bottom Line:
Public Interest Litigation - Hazardous industrial operations - Directions issued for compliance with statutory mandates to ensure proper parking facilities, occupational health care, and emergency medical infrastructure in and around a steel plant to safeguard workers and public commuters' rights under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Statutory provision(s): Article 21 of the Constitution of India, Jharkhand Building Bye-laws, 2016, Rule 41
Nageshwar Acharya v. State of Jharkhand, (Jharkhand)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2884193
