Surat : RTI activist files a record 163 Applications in a Day

Surat :  Sanjay Ezhava, a Surat-based RTI activist, made news by submitting a whopping 163 Right to Information (RTI) petitions in a single day. His unwavering quest of openness seeks to throw light on the measures performed by Gujarat’s seven Municipal Corporations and 156 Nagarpalikas (municipalities) regarding the routine upkeep of large and small bridges, drains, and other important infrastructure.

Ezhava’s historic attempt follows the devastating Morbi suspension bridge catastrophe, which took the lives of 142 people. The Gujarat High Court took suo moto note of the occurrence, filing PIL No.-87/2022 and requesting replies from different government organisations. Sanjay Ezhava was made a party to this dispute by a special court order, which was a key step.

On March 6, 2023, the State Government issued a notice in response to the urgent need for a standardised strategy on bridge repair. This announcement established procedures for maintaining large and small bridges, drains, and associated infrastructure on roadways held by Municipal Corporations, Nagar Palikas, and public agencies.

Affidavits were issued to all Municipal Corporations in the state, and a thorough affidavit was filed in the High Court, demonstrating the government’s dedication to inspection and upkeep.

However, in an unsettling turn of events, a bridge collapsed in Surendranagar only two days earlier, sending a vehicle into a stream. Despite the government’s affidavit, this occurrence has raised questions about the efficacy of bridge maintenance practises and monitoring.

Ezhava’s extensive series of RTI filings tries to expose the specifics of these local entities’ measures to comply with the government’s standards. His efforts are aimed not just at holding authorities responsible, but also at ensuring public safety, emphasising the need of openness and thoroughness in maintaining key infrastructure.

Each RTI application was filed with a minimal price of Rs. 20, totalling over Rs. 10,000 in expenses, including speed post rates to reach municipalities across Gujarat. Ezhava’s initiative acts as a motivating call to action for conscientious individuals, encouraging them to use the RTI system to obtain information for the development of society.