The Pioneer 06.10.2010
HC asks ADA to remove encroachmentsMonika | Chandigarh
Considering the congested area between Golden Temple and Hall Bazaar hurdling the traffic flow, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in a recently passed order, has directed the Amritsar District Administration (ADA) to conduct a meeting within 15 days with the representatives of the educational institutes, residents, associations, traders' bodies for streamlining the flow of traffic and removing encroachments in the area.
The Bench of Justice Rajive Bhalla has also asked the concerned authorities-including the deputy commissioner (DC), the superintendent of police (SP) and the commissioner of municipal corporation (MC)-to invite suggestions from representatives of the associations of the shopkeepers, traders, residents, schools and colleges "to streamline traffic, to remove encroachments to provide for parking spaces etc".
The directions, in the traffic regulation and pollution control case, came within a month when the residents of the area physically removed the barricades, that were placed by the DC to regulate traffic between Hall Bazaar and Golden Temple, to streamline the traffic flow.
Justice Bhalla observed, "Kanwaljit Singh, senior advocate, representing the Federation of Dry Fruits Commercial Association, Majitha Mandi, and Tea Traders Association, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, states that their members do not oppose and infact welcome the attempt to streamline traffic, but their concern over access to the shops, access by their customers to their shops, loading and unloading of goods must be taken into consideration before any scheme is finalised."
"Randhir Sharma, advocate, a resident of Akhara Brahambuta, states that the residents of this locality do not have any objection to the streamlining of traffic, but the general concern of the residents, schools, colleges, hospitals and shops etc. must be taken into consideration before any scheme is finalised," added Justice Bhalla.
Taking into account the assertions and concerns of several associations appearing before the court, Justice Bhalla stated, "In view of the broad consensus between all present in the court that traffic in the area requires urgent attention, the deputy commissioner, the superintendent of police and the commissioner of municipal corporation, Amritsar, shall convene a meeting of the representatives of the associations of shopkeepers, traders, residents, schools and colleges etc and such other representatives of the public as may be interested within 15 days and invite suggestions to streamline traffic, to remove encroachments to provide for parking spaces etc."
Also taking on record an affidavit, filed by the Municipal Commissioner DPS Kharbanda informing that the parking lots in the area have been identified, Justice Bhalla stated,
"It, however, appears that traffic barriers placed by the deputy commissioner to regulate traffic between Hall Bazaar and Golden Temple have been physically removed by the residents of the area."
The case will now come up for the next hearing on October 15.
