Allahabad High Court Raises Critical Questions on School Traffic Management in Lucknow
The Lucknow bench of the esteemed Allahabad High Court has issued a significant directive to the Uttar Pradesh state government, demanding clarity on whether traffic control management is being adequately considered during the approval process for constructing new educational institutions. This judicial intervention comes amid growing concerns about traffic congestion and safety hazards in school vicinities across the city.
Court Directs Government to Re-evaluate Traffic Oversight Protocols
In a noteworthy development, the bench has explicitly instructed the state administration to thoroughly examine the feasibility of delegating traffic control management responsibilities to the concerned schools themselves. This proposal aims to create a more localized and responsive approach to handling the daily influx of vehicles during peak school hours, potentially alleviating persistent traffic bottlenecks.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for this crucial matter on March 10, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these public safety concerns. The bench, comprising Justice Alok Mathur and Justice BR Singh, delivered this order while adjudicating a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Gomti River Bank Residents Association.
Ongoing Judicial Scrutiny of Traffic Hazards Near Educational Institutions
This judicial body has been actively monitoring the escalating issue of traffic hazards in the proximity of prominent schools throughout Lucknow. The PIL highlighted the severe disruptions and safety risks posed by inadequate traffic management, prompting the court to seek actionable solutions from the authorities.
Regarding the innovative suggestion of entrusting traffic management to schools, the bench has mandated the state government to conduct comprehensive discussions with multiple key agencies. These include the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), Public Works Department (PWD), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), municipal corporation, housing board, and district administration to assess the practical implementation of this proposal.
This directive underscores the court's commitment to ensuring that urban planning and educational expansion do not compromise public safety and mobility. The state's response and the outcomes of these inter-agency consultations will be closely watched in the upcoming hearing.
