Following HC orders, MC removes grills obstructing zebra crossings

On the directions of Punjab and Haryana high court, the municipal corporation (MC) would correct faulty zebra crossing and islands across the city.

In a meeting on road safety, wherein the officials of traffic police, municipal corporation (MC) and road safety activists participated recently, the MC had decided to remove grills that were installed around traffic islands. Now, the MC has started the work to remove them.

However, sources said the MC’s drive was only eyewash, as they have to file a status report.

HT through its report ‘Compromising with safety of pedestrians, MC installs grills around traffic islands’ on November 20 had highlighted that the MC had installed grills around the traffic islands on Malhar Road that are meant for pedestrians to wait for the signal for using zebra crossings.

Sources said cutting of HT newspaper was also presented before the high court bench during hearing of COCP 143 of 2010 on November 20.

Now, following the high court directions, the MC would file a status report on December 19 on the status of traffic lights and other issues.

MC superintending engineer HS Khosa said, “We have started the work to clear obstructions in shape of railings or grills on zebra crossings as well as islands.”

He said, “We will ensure functioning of all traffic lights in the city. Traffic islands on Jagraon Bridge and zebra crossings in other city areas will also be corrected.”

No action against illegal hoardings and encroachments on footpaths

Meanwhile, the MC has failed to remove illegal hoardings from national highway and footpaths despite the high court orders. Sources said the MC advertisement wing is misguiding the high court as thousands of illegal hoardings are still distracting the commuters.

Road safety activist Rahul Verma said, “All zebra crossings will be made pedestrian friendly. It was decided in the meeting that reflective marking boards and strips will be installed on all roundabouts.”

Verma said, “There is a need to construct foot overbridge at bus stand. In the meeting, it was also decided to crop the branches of trees that are obstructing traffic lights and signboards.”

Orders of high court

During the hearing of COCP 143 of 2010 on November 20, assistant commissioner of police (traffic) - Richa Agnihotri was directed to ensure that the police force under her control does not permit any person to violate traffic rules and orders passed by the Supreme Court and this court.

The high court orders states, “The duty of the police force is not merely to issue challans, but regulate traffic. However, police personnel standing on the roadsides are unconcerned about traffic violations and only wake up during Road Safety Weeks. The police shall ensure that no vehicle parks on zebra crossings or on footpaths, traffic lights are functional, helmets and seat belts are used and traffic rules are obeyed.”

Counsel for the MC said, “Traffic signals will be installed and made functional within 10 days. Zebra crossings will be marked immediately after re-carpeting of roads. The ACP traffic shall forthwith identify the points where signages, marking on roads and traffic lights are required and then hold a meeting with MC Ludhiana. The needful should be done within two months from the date of issuance of orders.”