The Gujarat High Court has initiated suo motu proceedings to address the severe traffic management issues plaguing Ahmedabad. This action follows a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) decision to construct a flyover at the Panjarapol junction.
The court, in an order issued last week, underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive evaluation of Ahmedabad’s traffic infrastructure and management practices. This move reflects growing concerns over the city’s road network, particularly the busy Sarkhej-Gandhinagar (SG) Road corridor. The PIL, filed under the case name Dharini Shah vs. State of Gujarat, highlighted several critical issues, including poor road infrastructure and traffic mismanagement. The court acknowledged the significance of these issues, deeming them matters of “paramount public importance.” It criticised the proposed flyover at Panjarapol junction, suggesting that the traffic volume at this location did not warrant such an infrastructure investment. The court directed the AMC to provide detailed records of the decision-making process behind the flyover proposal.
The bench observed that the current traffic volume at the Panjarapol junction was relatively low and questioned the necessity of a flyover. The court pointed out that the proposal appeared to disregard recommendations from the Indian Institute of Traffic and Transport Management (IITRAM) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Advocate Pitamber Abhichandani has been appointed as the amicus curiae (friend of the court) to assist in the proceedings. Notices have been issued to various state and Union government authorities, including the AMC, Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), the state roads and buildings department, the home department, Gujarat’s Director General of Police (DGP), and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
In a bid to address immediate safety concerns, the state chief secretary has been instructed to ensure strict compliance with traffic regulations. Additionally, the court has ordered the identification and marking of accident-prone areas to enhance road safety measures. This proactive judicial intervention highlights the High Court’s commitment to improving urban infrastructure and ensuring that public resources are utilised effectively for the benefit of citizens.
