By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 14: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the state to take adequate measures or issue regulatory directions since widening or maintenance of roads and permission to set up any shopping areas reduces the road surface area creating a risk of vehicular accident.
The Court on Monday heard the counsel for the petitioners of the PIL who prayed for orders against the state to ensure road safety and proper regulation of traffic.
On September 24, some issues were identified by the Court and directions were made upon the state to take remedial measures.
The first concerned installation of iron plates over manholes on the road. It is the common submission of both counsels that adequate steps have been taken by the state for rectification of the iron plates, as a result of which, the risk posed by these iron plates earlier has been removed or minimised.
The second issue is with regard to measures to be taken further to the order of this bench dated February 7, 2024. With regard to the next issue relating to operationalisation of the CCTV cameras on the road, counsel for the state submitted that steps have already been taken and the grievance of the petitioner redressed.
Although not mentioned in the order dated September 24, 2024, the Court observed that it goes without saying that while all the above work is undertaken by the state, it will also give attention to the fact that widening or maintenance of roads and permission to set up any shopping areas reduces the road surface area creating a risk of vehicular accident.
The state has been further directed to file a compliance report in the form of an affidavit with an advance copy served upon the Advocate-on-Record for the petitioner, the order added.