STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a Public Interest Litigation related to maintenance of public roads, removal of encroachments, laying of proper roads and enhancing the facilities for better public use in the District Jammu and surrounding areas of other Districts of Jammu, a Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice B.S Walia issued various directions with regard to smooth traffic in Jammu after observing that in compliance of earlier order Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Inspector General (Traffic), Jammu and Regional Transport Officer, Jammu are present and the
status report has also been filed in pursuance of the aforesaid order.
Senior Advocate D.C Raina, Advocates Abhinav Sharma, Manu Khajuria and A.S Khera appeared for the PIL while Advocate General Jehangir Iqbal Ganai with Senior AAG S.S Nanda and Government Advocate Mehvish Shah represented the State.
The Counsel for PIL submitted that the respondents should be directed to indicate the time limit within which the measures undertaken by them for eradication of traffic menace and pollution in the city of Jammu shall be implemented effectively besides indicating a time frame within which the effective regulatory measures shall be taken to ensure that the vehicles are plied in accordance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Rules and the action for removal of encroachments will be taken in a time bound manner in the city of Jammu.
On the other hand, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu who is a member of the High Power Committee constituted by this Court sought one month’s time to hold a meeting of the High Power Committee and to apprise this Court with regard to time schedule within which measures with regard to regulating the traffic and pollution in the city of Jammu shall be taken.
Upon this, the DB observed that it deemed appropriate to direct the inclusion of Transport Commissioner as well as Chairman of Pollution Control Board in the High Power Committee. The aforesaid High Power Committee shall hold its meeting within a period of one month and thereafter submit its report, it observed.
The DB also directed IG Traffic to ensure that the buses/matadors are parked at the designated parking places and shall stop only at the designated stops besides curbing overloading and use of pressure horns.
DB also directed the competent authority to take steps with regard to the encroachments. It also directed Pollution Control Board as well as SHOs of the concerned police stations to ensure that there is no violation of pollution control norms.
The court also sought compliance report in this regard from IG Traffic Jammu, officers of the Pollution Control Board and concerned SHOs on the next date of hearing.
