Srinagar, July 28: Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed government to consider the suggestion of one-way traffic for decongesting bottleneck areas in the Srinagar city and its suburbs.
 A division bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar and justice Hasnain Massodi passed the direction after amicus curiae, J H Reshi in the Public Interest Litigation titled Kashmir Consumer Welfare Forum versus Commissioner Transport and others pointed out that the report submitted has completely ignored the traffic congestion on various routes like Pantha Chowk, Qamarwari and Shaltang.
 The Court counsel argued that the traffic congestion at Panthachowk is so grave that it lasts sometimes for four hours causing colossal trouble to the commuters.
 Following the arguments of the amicus curiae that the 150 buses belonging to Delhi Public School are the cause for the traffic congestion in Pantha Chowk area, the court directed IGP Traffic to contemplate the suggestion of rerouting the vehicles or changing the timing of the buses to avoid the traffic congestion.       
 The amicus curiae informed the court that the four lane bye pass road project proposed to be constructed between Lasjan and Pampore, Sangam and Bonpora and other places by National High Authority of India is gong  at slow pace  resulting in hike of the cost estimate which causes further delay as fresh sanctions have to be obtained from higher authorities.
 Counsel for the Sumo operators pleaded before the Court that the temporary arrangement made for operation of Jammu bound Sumos from the site opposite old Tourist Reception Center should be made permanent for the Sumo Taxi operators.
 The court, however, did not agree with him after he submitted that Pantha Chowk is far away and the commuters will face a great deal of tribulations to reach their destinations during late hours. 
 The court held the SRTC has already agreed to operate round the clock bus services to the commuters from the Pantha Chowk area.
 The amicus curiae pointed out before the court that the site which has been located for adjusting Jammu bound Sumo vehicles is the most suitable site and the lung area of the city from were they are allowed to operate currently  and it cannot be converted into a bus stand.
 Advocate General, M Ishaq Qadri informed the court that adequate facilities shall be provided as per Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 for the area earmarked for Sumo Taxi Stand within a period of one month. “The area has already been filled and leveled” he told the court.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST