Nagpur High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Wardha Road Traffic Crisis
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has taken a proactive step by initiating suo motu proceedings on Thursday, focusing on the severe traffic congestion, escalating noise pollution, and widespread commuter distress plaguing Wardha Road. This arterial corridor, one of Nagpur's busiest, has become a focal point of public concern despite significant infrastructure investments.
Court Appoints Amicus Curiae for Public Interest Litigation
In a decisive move, the court appointed advocate Dhruv Sirpurkar as amicus curiae to assist in preparing a comprehensive public interest litigation (PIL) on the issue. This action was prompted by alarming reports highlighting persistent gridlock along this crucial north-south connector, which continues to worsen despite major public expenditures on flyovers, cement roads, and the metro corridor along the stretch.
Wardha Road serves as a vital link connecting several major junctions and handles thousands of vehicles daily. However, commuters have reported a noticeable deterioration in traffic conditions over recent months, with the situation reaching a critical point.
Construction Bottlenecks and Peak Hour Gridlock
Ongoing construction works between Janta Square and Gorakshan Road have significantly narrowed sections of the road, creating severe bottlenecks. These constricted lanes become particularly problematic when buses attempt to navigate through, causing slowdowns that quickly escalate into long traffic queues and extended delays for all road users.
Ajni Square has emerged as one of the worst-affected junctions, where traffic frequently comes to a complete standstill during evening hours. Residents describe vehicles remaining stuck for prolonged periods as congestion spills over into nearby intersections, creating a domino effect of traffic paralysis.
Lack of Traffic Management and Widespread Impact
The report presented to the court also highlighted the concerning absence of traffic police deployment during peak congestion hours. Once traffic piles up at Ajni Square, the backlog frequently extends to adjoining junctions including Rahate Colony Square and the Shaheed Gowari Flyover, amplifying the problem across multiple areas.
Traffic woes are not confined to evening rush hours alone. Commuters report consistently slow-moving traffic even during afternoon hours along the stretch between Samvidhan Square and Janta Square. Here, narrowed lanes combined with heavy traffic volume have transformed this corridor into a persistent choke point throughout the day.
The court's intervention comes at a crucial time as Nagpur continues to develop its infrastructure while grappling with the practical challenges of urban mobility. The appointment of an amicus curiae signals a serious judicial approach to finding sustainable solutions for Wardha Road's traffic management issues, which affect thousands of daily commuters and residents along this important transportation artery.
