Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Dec 19: In a Public Interest Litigation for ensuring better management of traffic system in Jammu and Kashmir, a Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir High Court comprising Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur observed that many directions, passed by this Court, have not been complied with, for one reason or the other. The orders were not subsequently enforced either because the matter did not go in one track. The Court while dealing with the important issue of traffic mismanagement has tried to take care of all the allied issues as well, be it Air Pollution, Noise Pollution, Switching of vehicles over to CNG/LPG from Petrol/ Diesel, Switching of 20,000 autos plying in Srinagar over to CNG/LPG, inadequate space for passengers in the commercial vehicles, identifying and abolishing the unauthorized auto, sumo and bus stops/ stands, protecting the General Bus Stand and Pantha Chowk from encroachments, completion of road projects of key importance, status of the district wise traffic congestion and the measures taken for decongestion, removing ditches and other impediments within the city of Srinagar till macadamization takes place. However, in such endeavor of the court, to take up all the issues together and pass necessary directions thereof, the track, somehow, has been lost. Therefore, with a view that all the issues involved are streamlined, we deem it appropriate to deal with three issues at a time and focus on resolution of such issues. Similarly, all the issues will be dealt with in phased manner. In that view of the matter, the following three issues will be addressed today:
Regarding parking of vehciles, Division Bench directed Government of Jammu and Kashmir shall place the policy by amending the existing norms with respect to registration of vehicles (both public and private) by incorporating a condition in the Registration Norms to the effect that the owner of the vehicle seeking registration has a parking space/ garage space at his residence.
DB further directed Government shall also come up with a policy of banning the use of roads, be it National Highway, State Highway, City Roads for parking purposes.
DB also directed awaiting the decision of the Government on notifying the policy on the above lines, it shall be the responsibility of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to ensure that all the roads, as taken note of in the preceding paragraph, are made free from parking. He shall also ensure that no vehicle is allowed to be parked on roadside even at the points designated by the SMC or SDA and also Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, shall ensure that the vehicles are parked at the designated off-road parking slots with particular reference to the Lal Chowk, and surrounding areas.
Regarding switching over to CNG, Division Bench observed that in terms of order dated 17th May, 2017, this Court had directed the respondents to take steps for conversion of vehicles from Petrol/ Diesel to CNG. However, despite lapse of more than two years nothing has come on record that would demonstrate that the respondents had seriously acknowledged the issue and taken certain measures. There is absolutely nothing on record suggesting such approach.
Regarding imposing complete ban on 15-25-year-old commercial vehicles, Division Bench observed that in terms of order dated 17th May, 2017, this Court, had directed the Transport Commissioner, J&K, to file an affidavit to indicate as to what is done with the Registration Number and the Registration Certificates of vehicles which cross the age limit of 25 years. While we seek the detailed report on the issue, the respondents are further directed to report to the court as to in which manner the condemned vehicles are disposed of. They must indicate in the report the mechanism in place for such practice. While so doing it must also be emphasized in the report as to how many vehicles were disposed of as condemned on such count in the last six months with full details. —JNF |
