Public Works Department (PWD) has accepted that speed-breakers built on either side of Shahid Gowari fly-over to curtail overspeeding are not constructed as per norms of Indian Road Congress (IRC). Executive Engineer, PWD, World Bank Division, Krusha Gharde, in the affidavit filed in contempt petition filed by city lawyer based on ‘The Hitavada’ report, further mentioned that existing speed breakers will be demolished and replaced with one conforming to prescribed norms. She further tried to justify the speed-breakers, saying the same was demanded by Janakrosh, a city-based social body. Meanwhile, Traffic Police justified the necessity of speed breakers on either end of Gowari fly-over, saying same is necessary to control the speeding trucks that end up damaging the height barriers.

 

In the affidavit submitted to Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court, Deputy Commissioner of Police Lohit Matani said, the speed breakers help slow down the speed of heavy vehicles, which, in turn, increased visibility of height barriers. The affidavits of PWD and Traffic Police came in response to notice issued by HC in response to contempt petition filed by a city lawyer, Adv R P Joshi after ‘The Hitavada’ published a news item, highlighting the inconvenience caused to citizens using two-wheelers and light vehicles.

 

The speed breakers are putting the road users in jeopardy, as they face jerks while negotiating the same, and especially two-wheelers tend to lose balance. EE Gharde said, the suggestion for hump type speed breakers was made by Janakrosh, to avoid repeated ramming of heavy vehicles into height barriers. Also, she mentioned that, PWD will reinstall the height barriers, while Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has been asked to affix hooters, sensors, flash lights, and other measures to deter heavy vehicle drivers from attempting to enter the fly-over. Further, NMC has been asked to install AI-enabled CCTV cameras on either end of fly-over to keep vigil on the traffic movement. Meanwhile, PI Aniruddha Puri, Sitabuldi Traffic Branch, urged HC to pass suitable directions to ensure that, in future, whichever heavy vehicle is involved in damaging the height barriers should be imposed heavy fines.

 

Adv Joshi, in his petition, mentioned that, despite specific directions from HC, the authorities went ahead and constructed speed breakers that do not conform to norms nor were advisable. The directions from HC from time to time as to placing of speed breakers and study of traffic by experts were ignored by authorities and hence, they be hauled up for contempt.