The Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench has directed the traffic police and civic authorities to find a permanent solution to the traffic problems in Dhantoli and Ramdaspeth. The Court also directed that the latest traffic notification issued by the police must be implemented. A Division Bench of Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Justice Raj Wakode passed the directions during the hearing on Tuesday. The Commissioner of Traffic Police was personally present in the Court and filed an affidavit. The Bench observed that problems related to traffic, encroachments and hospitals in the two areas cannot be allowed to continue.

 

It directed the authorities to take positive and appropriate measures to address the issues. The Court also questioned why such situations arise repeatedly despite orders and notifications being issued. The Bench directed Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Aditya Mirkhedikar to submit a report within two weeks confirming the implementation of the notification and the action taken. The Court further orally observed that care should be taken while implementing the traffic changes as September is a month of festivals. The arrangements should not cause inconvenience to citizens. The High Court noted that despite a show-cause notice being issued, the DCP (Traffic) had not taken the required steps. The Court questioned why the notification had not been complied with. Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke also stressed the need for multi-level parking facilities in Dhantoli. The Court indicated that proper parking arrangements are necessary to reduce congestion in the busy area.

 

The issue came before the Court through a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Dhantoli Nagarik Mandal. The PIL concerns encroachments and traffic problems in Dhantoli and Ramdaspeth. During the hearing, the petitioners’ lawyers pointed out that the Municipal Commissioner and the DCP (Traffic) had failed to comply with earlier High Court directions and the relevant traffic notification. At the previous hearing, the Court had directed the DCP (City Traffic) to remain personally present. Accordingly, DCP (Traffic) Aditya Mirkhedikar and other police officials appeared before the Court on Tuesday. Advocates Ashutosh Dharmadhikari and Ashwin Deshpande appeared for Dhantoli Nagarik Mandal. Advocate Gemini Kasat represented the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, while Advocate Deepak Thakare appeared for the State Government.

 

What the traffic notification says The traffic arrangement in Dhantoli was changed under a notification issued by the then Joint Commissioner of Police Ashwati Dorje. The High Court has directed the authorities to implement this notification. Major 1-way routes Siho Hospital-Sarafa Court: Vehicles will not be allowed to travel from Siho Hospital towards Sarafa Court. Traffic will be allowed only from Sarafa Court towards Siho Hospital. Silver Palace-Varambhe Hospital: Vehicles will not be allowed from Silver Palace towards Varambhe Hospital. Traffic will be allowed from Varambhe Hospital towards Silver Palace. Amarjyoti Complex-Kumbhare Jewellers: Vehicles will not be allowed from Amarjyoti Complex towards Kumbhare Jewellers. Traffic will be allowed in the opposite direction. No parking zones No parking restrictions have been imposed on both sides of several important roads. These include: Kumbhare Jewellers to Gorakshan Compound; Silver Palace to Varambhe Hospital; Bharuka Bhavan to Dr Pendse Hospital Corner; Petrol pump to Congress Nagar T-point; Neuron Hospital to Janata Chowk. No parking for any type of vehicle has been imposed on both sides of these stretches. Parking has also been prohibited from Neuron Hospital to Bhagwatdarshan Building for up to 50 metres. A similar restriction applies from Mishra House to Tilak Vidyalaya for up to 50 metres. Special parking arrangements To help citizens and patients, designated parking spaces have been created around Dhantoli Garden. Single-lane parking for four-wheelers will be available on the north, south and west sides of the garden. Single-lane parking for two-wheelers has been provided on the eastern side of the garden. The two-wheeler parking stretch is between Mehadia Chowk and the Home Guard office.