Hazaribagh Traffic PIL: Court Orders CCTV Fix, Encroachment Removal And Strict Rule Enforcement

A court hearing was held on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed to improve the traffic situation in Hazaribagh on Thursday. The hearing was before a two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan. The court has directed officials to make all necessary arrangements to fix the city's traffic system. This includes an order to install an automatic traffic light monitoring system, CCTV cameras, and other essential equipment.

During the hearing, Hazaribagh's top officials (the DC, SP, and Municipal Administrator) were present in court. The court expressed its displeasure that previous orders had not been followed and asked the officials why steps to improve traffic hadn't been taken yet. In response, the DC (Deputy Commissioner) explained that the project to install the automatic traffic light system would cost Rs 38.90 crore. He stated that the file has been sent to the Urban Development Department for approval, but it hasn't been sanctioned yet.

Hearing this, the Chief Justice ordered the DC to immediately speak with the department's Secretary and find out how long the approval would take. The court then briefly paused the hearing. When it resumed, the DC assured the court that all necessary arrangements would be made to get the traffic system on track within the next four weeks. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 7th.

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The court also issued several strict directives:

- Immediately strengthen Hazaribagh's traffic system.

- Install CCTV cameras and ensure they are regularly maintained so they are always working.

- Remove encroachments from roadsides and make sure they don't reappear.

- Ban the use of pressure horns and black-tinted windows on vehicles.

Take strict action against traffic rule violators, such as three people riding on a two-wheeler, driving without a helmet, and not wearing a seatbelt in a car.

However, the lawyer for the petitioner (the person who filed the case) challenged the government's response. He argued that the Municipal Corporation's claim that all CCTV cameras in the city are working is completely false. The lawyer stated that whenever a crime happens, it often turns out that the camera at the scene was not working. He presented newspaper clippings to back up his argument and accused the corporation of misleading the court.

During the hearing, the court was also made aware of the huge increase in e-rickshaws, which were described as a major cause of traffic jams and accidents. In response, the court directed the authorities to monitor e-rickshaws as well.

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This Public Interest Litigation was filed in the High Court by Achyut Swaroop Mishra.