SHILLONG, Feb 7: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the police to take action against workshops set up alongside State roads and National Highways as cars which come for repair are parked on the road itself, thereby impeding the right of way.
During the hearing of a PIL, Additional Advocate General ND Chullai, who was assisted by Government Attorney ER Chyne, for the State respondents, produced a set of instructions containing steps said to have been taken by the authorities for containment of traffic offences and implementation of provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The Additional Advocate General prayed for and was allowed to place the same on record by way of an affidavit.
The court observed that when any construction is carried out near public paths, roads or highways, construction materials are dumped on the roadside and activities are carried out on the road itself, which poses a serious hazard to the flow of traffic and the lives of pedestrians.
“Similarly, also is the case of workshops which are set up alongside State roads and National Highways, where cars that come for repair are parked on the road itself. This should be immediately harnessed by the traffic authorities, so that the right-of-way is not impeded in any manner, especially when there is high-speed traffic as in the Highways,” the court said.
Another issue which the court said should be addressed is overnight parking of vehicles. Owners, who do not have proper parking facilities, park their cars on the road haphazardly causing traffic congestion.
The court hoped that adequate measures will be taken expeditiously to address the issue.
