Shimla, June 3: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state to take all possible measures to regulate and manage traffic issues in Manali town.
Taking a serious note of the traffic issues in the popular hill station Manali, the HP High Court has directed the state that long-term vision plan be framed and implemented to regulate and manage traffic in Kullu, Manali, Rohtang Pass, Kasol and Manikaran. The court further directed the local administration to file its compliance report in the court.
While passing this order the court observed that “mere widening of roads or construction of new roads may not solve the issue per se. Traffic management includes many factors, like traffic control, which envisages measures of traffic flow, management of parking areas and removal of encroachments on roads, etc. There is always a need for more traffic control and for people to take courses in how to help with traffic issues. This issue is not just happening here, there are many traffic courses around, such as traffic control courses melbourne way, to educate people and train people to help with global traffic issues. It has to be understood that driving through a traffic congested area is tedious and the same adversely affects the health of one and all. There is not only waste of fuel, but it also pollutes the environment. Haphazard parking of vehicles, encroachments on roads, absence of civic sense and lack of strict enforcement of traffic Rules, all lead to traffic congestion.”
The court passed theses orders on a news report published on June 26 last related to the traffic problems in Manali during tourist season. Taking cognizance of this news item the court treated this news item as a PIL and had directed the state to file status report indicating what the mechanism in place is in order to check the traffic congestion in Manali.
After perusing the status reports filed by the authorities, the court directed the authorities to involve all the stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of the long-term vision plan.
It further clarified that the said long-term vision plan would also encompass all such measures and suggestions which in addition may be required to regulate and manage traffic in Kullu and Manali.
Source Tribune India
