Abandoning Shakuntla-Janipur fly-over HC takes serious note of traffic congestion in Jammu

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed by Citizens Forum through its President, R.K Chadha highlighting abandoning of Shakuntla Chowk-Ambphalla-Janipur flyover, the Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur on Friday took serious note of the traffic congestion in Jammu city.
The High Court also directed the ERA to clarify how it proposes to deal with the traffic problems in Jammu city, i.e. is it by way of widening of the roads; consideration of a flyover; or by plying mono-rail and/or any other method.
After hearing Senior Advocate S.S.Lehar with Advocate Aditya Sharma for the petitioners, the Division Bench observed, that on reading of communication dated March 26, 2016, however, the court found a proposal with regard to the widening of B.C. Road Ambphalla-New Plot-Janipur road which does not reflect so many problems.
Even in the status report filed, no mention is made about the widening of Ambphalla-New Plot-Janipur road.
The Division Bench further observed that it needs to be highlighted as the Judges themselves have seen with their own experience that the entire stretch of road, especially from Ambphalla to High Court, is perhaps the most pathetic in terms of traffic congestion and density, and in covering this short distance a lot of time is consumed. The Bench further observed that road falling on the western side of Jammu city over the years has grown into a major official, commercial and residential hub, which also includes the High Court, the subordinate courts, office of the Director Education, office of Social Welfare, Directorate of Statistics & Economics and also an Army installation.
The Division Bench directed the ERA to place on record the material on the basis of which decision has been taken. The Division Bench also directed Secretary, Finance to file an Affidavit to show as to whether, while making a loan proposal, as contained in the communication dated 26th March 2016 any specific proposal in regard to the afore-mentioned roads was made to the Central Government, and a Notice was accordingly issued to the Secretary, Finance. The Division Bench further observed that in view of the fact that issue involves importance, the Ministry of Finance, Government of India through its Secretary has been impleaded as party/respondent in the PIL.
That the matter pertains to the traffic congestion in Jammu City and the arguing Counsels S.S.Lehar and Aditya Sharma submitted before the Division Bench with respect to the problems being faced by the people of Jammu City and the funds which were sanctioned in the year 2008 but could not be taken up due to the facts best known to the respondents.
Division Bench while passing the order said that the  petitioners had observed that in the year 2007-2008 a project was approved by the State Government at a cost of Rs.18.4 crore for widening of the roads, particularly Ambphalla-Jail road- New Plot road-Janipur road as also the connecting B.C.Road, Jammu, and also for consideration of the flyover project which had been given up for reasons best known to the respondents.
“It is further mentioned that failure on the part of the respondents to execute the project had further resulted in deterioration of traffic congestion in the afore-mentioned areas. Statement of facts has been filed in the court and a further stand has been taken that in a meeting convened by the Chief Minister a decision was taken that the B.C. Road widening flyover project is to be proposed for future funding under externally aided projects. It is further stated that the State Government has already applied for a new loan and a request in that regard has already been sent to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India vide communication dated 26th March 2016 and that after the loan is agreed to in principle the list of Projects to be undertaken under the proposed loan shall be finalized by the Governing Body of ERA”.