Petition filed on traffic, safety of pedestrians

SHILLONG: A public interest litigation (PIL) filed on the regulation of traffic and safety of pedestrians in the city has prompted the High Court of Meghalaya to issue necessary directions to the state government.
The petitioner, Dr Tilok Dasgupta, has through the PIL pointed out that he had made several representations to the authorities concerned for introducing zebra crossings or similar arrangements at busy traffic points in the city.
“But even such representations have not evoked necessary response with the result that at several of the busy traffic points, the pedestrians, including school children, old and infirm persons are exposed to the hazards and risks on and around the road,” said the PIL.
The petitioner has also brought to the fore the problems of unregulated parking of vehicles in the city and want of necessary automated traffic light system. “The issues as raised in this petition are of serious nature and require immediate attention and concrete steps by all the concerned,” it was stated.
Government advocate S Sen Gupta, appearing for the respondents submitted that the issue regarding provision of zebra crossings at the referred points has already been taken up by the authorities and concrete steps in this regard are likely to be taken within ten days.
The High Court observed that it was difficult to appreciate that all the related aspects of proper traffic management in and around the city of Shillong have not been attended to by the concerned authorities.
However, at the request of the government advocate, the Court granted the respondents three weeks’ time to execute all the necessary work, and thereafter, file a specific affidavit, while adverting to all the aspects and points raised in the petition.
The East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner has been ordered to be joined as one of the respondents.