Amicus Curiae D Mozumder draws route map for PIL on traffic congestion in Guwahati

PIL on traffic congestion

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: All the separate orders, especially the one issued on September 11, 2020, by the Gauhati High Court on the PIL (72/2016) filed by Rita Das Mozumdar on traffic congestion in Guwahati has helped Amicus Curiae D Mozumder to draw a route map for the PIL to proceed for time being.

The Amicus Curiae has categorized the gamut of issues concerning the PIL into four different components under the heads -- traffic congestion and its management, infrastructure development, regulation of city buses and Smart City Project status.

Under the component traffic congestion and its management, the Amicus Curiae has felt the necessity of scientific study of traffic on major roads, identification of roadside and other parking spaces, streamlining of city buses and action plan for allotment of routes and its enforcement/regulation, installation of CCTV cameras at appropriate places, creation of Facebook and WhatsApp account slot on FM Radio Station for broadcasting traffic congestion and deputation of officials by the Transport department to monitor buses.

On infrastructure development front, he felt the need of construction of city bus lay bays at bus stops; identification of areas which fire brigades cannot reach; shifting of wholesale markets away from city; free the roads from encroachment by traders, wholesalers, Hawkers and shopkeepers; shifting of bus lay bays away from tri-junctions; street vending permission only as per section 2(1)(n) of Act, 2014.

On the regulation of city buses, he mooted display plate on buses indicating route/ road permit; installation GPS system inside the buses; doors on entry and exit points of the buses; training to bus drivers and conductors; regulating stop time at bus stops; picking up embarking and disembarking of passengers only at bus stops.

On Smart City Project Status, the Amicus Curiae suggests bidding for hiring of service providers; and installation of Automated Traffic Signaling and Management System at major crossings etc.

The PIL has been listed for next hearing on February 23, 2021.

Also Read: National Road Safety Month inaugurated at Guwahati city

Also watch: Inquiry Set Up into Death of GMCH Doctor Rupesh Kejriwal