Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 19: Taking serious note of non-implementation of directions passed last year on traffic mess, the Division Bench today sought personal appearance of top officials of the Government in case they fail to file compliance of previous directions within two weeks.
In order to sort out the traffic mess in the Kashmir Province more particularly in Srinagar City, the High Court while considering the suggestions given by traffic advisor, had passed slew of directions to the authorities which until today seem to have been not implemented as no compliance report has been filed by the Government.
The Court had directed the authorities to sort out issues like roads occupied by vendors, wrong parking, parking places, horn honking in prohibited areas, over loading to passenger vehicles etc but no compliance has been filed till date.
Division Bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Sanjeev Kumar before dealing with the matter further granted two weeks time to various authorities to file compliance about these directions or appear before the court on next date.
Court in this connection granted two weeks time to file compliance in failing to do the same directed Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Vice Chairman Srinagar Development Authority, Inspector General of Police Traffic, Kashmir and Senior Superintendent of Police Traffic Srinagar to remain present in person before the court on the next date of hearing.
After hearing the counsel for the parties, DB said that in terms of order of September, 2018, the Court has already detailed out the issues involved in the instant Public Interest Litigation and, accordingly, directed the respondents to file compliance in respect thereto. “We need not reiterate the issues any further”, court said.
Court with regard to the presence of vendors on roads and footpaths had said that they are causing huge trouble and impediment for plying of smooth traffic as also to the commuters and had directed the Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation to examine the matter by providing vending zones after identifying such areas then shift the vendors to such areas.
With regard to slip roads, Court had directed the Public Works Department through its Chief Engineer Kashmir to report the action taken on the aspect and give solutions to such problem before next date.
On the menace of overloading during peak hours, SSP Traffic was under direction to intensify the routine checks and get control over the menace and on installation of traffic light and those which are in place but are not working assurance was given for installation of new traffic light as also making functional of those which are in place, but the same has not happened on ground level.
It has been brought to the notice of the court that despite directions passed by the Court from time to time, different vehicles in the shape of Sumos, maxi cabs, mini buses, etc., are parked on the roadside at the Batamaloo Bus Stand.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir has been directed to ensure implementation of the directions passed by the Court from time to time, whereby the Court has put a restraint on parking of any vehicle in and outside the Batamaloo Bus Stand. “He shall file compliance to that effect before this Court on or before the next date of hearing, without any fail”, DB directed.
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