Hearing a matter related to public safety, the High Court questioned the civic body’s habit of resorting to temporary patchwork while citizens continue to risk their lives on city roads. His widow, Asha Uttamrao Bhagat, has approached the court seeking Rs 20 lakh compensation, holding the NMC responsible for gross negligence. In a related hearing, the High Court also pulled up the NMC over the quality and inspection mechanism of stormwater drain covers installed along internal roads. Taking a stern view earlier, the High Court had ordered registration of a PIL and later expanded its scope to cover multiple civic safety issues. The bench said it expected concrete information about the quality standards of chambers and covers being installed by the NMC.