In the hearing of a revised PIL opposing the construction of the Panjrapol flyover, the Gujarat High Court directed the police to make helmets mandatory for two-wheeler drivers and pillion both; and to curb wrong-side driving on SG Highway.
“Nobody is wearing a helmet here! I have not seen anyone wearing a helmet here,” said Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal during the hearing.
The chief justice told the police, “One fine morning you decide and feel like aaj subah pakadte hai (let’s catch them today) and you catch people who are not wearing helmets.”
“First thing first–make helmets mandatory for two-wheeler drivers,” the court said.
The court was also stern about the issue of traffic on Ahmedabad’s SG Highway. “ A necessary service road should be constructed on SG Highway and action be taken against those driving on the wrong side within 15 days.”
The Guj HC proposed two aspects:
Management in the traffic of the city and filling up vacancies of traffic police and feasibility of in the city.
Management of entry and exit point to national highway (SG Highway)
Petitioner’s request
The petitioner requested the formation of an expert committee for making resolutions of problems of SG Highway composed of government officers, representatives of traffic police, experts and expert bodies.
Independent committees to conduct periodical checks and surprise checks of SG Highway.
To take action against wrong side drivers, rash drivers, two-wheeler drivers and pillions who do not wear helmets, and to ensure that citizens do not park vehicles on SG Highway.
To repaint and maintain zebra-crossings.
To ensure street lights are working, especially near Vaishno Devi Circle
To make SG Highway less prone to accidents
The petitioner named four authorities associated with the SG Highway including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), state R&B department (Roads and Buildings Department), and city police.
It was discussed in the high court that the service roads between Gujarat High Court to Vaishno Devi Circle on SG Highway do not exist.
Regarding the Panjrapol flyover, Gujarat HC said, “Flyovers should not be constructed impulsively, there should be some holistic planning from Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC).”
The HC demanded a study to prove why the flyover is needed on the Panjrapol junction before concluding the hearing.