The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday issued notices to various government departments in response to a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) concerning the worsening traffic congestion on Wardha Road. The respondents have been directed to submit their replies within 10 weeks.
Background of the PIL
A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode initiated the PIL based on media reports that highlighted persistent gridlock on Wardha Road, despite significant public investment in infrastructure. This investment includes the construction of flyovers, widened cement roads, and the Metro corridor.
The court expanded the scope of the matter to include other major intersections and traffic-prone junctions across the city, signaling a broader examination of urban traffic management. The bench noted that despite large-scale infrastructure upgrades, the traffic problem on Wardha Road remains unresolved, raising concerns over planning and execution gaps.
Appointment of Amicus Curiae
The bench appointed Dhruv Sirpurkar as amicus curiae, who formally filed the petition on Monday. The submissions pointed to a lack of coordination among various authorities as a key factor behind the persistent congestion.
According to the report placed before the court, motorists attributed the congestion to a lack of effective traffic regulation, ongoing road works, and inadequate presence of traffic police during peak hours. The stretch from Janta Chowk to Rahate Colony Chowk has emerged as a critical bottleneck, with Ajni Square identified as the worst-affected point.
Peak Hour Severity
The situation becomes particularly severe between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM, when traffic often comes to a standstill. Residents have also reported that ambulances are frequently caught in the gridlock, amplifying concerns over emergency response and public safety.
