The Bombay High Court’s Nagpur bench criticized the local traffic police on Tuesday for their failure to address ongoing parking and congestion issues in Dhantoli. The court emphasized that the frequent enforcement drives implemented by the police do not provide a sustainable solution to these persistent problems. This statement underscores the need for a more effective long-term strategy to manage traffic and parking in the area.
65/2012 and 52/2017) filed by Dhantoli Nagrik Mandal, a division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Raj Dhanuka questioned effectiveness of the action against unauthorised parking and encroachments. High court has issued directions on the issue since 2012, but the problems have persisted over the years. The court directed the authorities to effectively implement revised traffic notification issued on July 16, 2024. The notification provides for one-way traffic, no-parking zones and designated P-1 and P-2 parking arrangements in the area.
“You might take action now, but within an hour, the same situation will arise again in Dhantoli,” the court remarked orally. Hearing two PILs (Nos. Deputy commissioner of police (Traffic) Aditya Mirkhelkar was present in the court. The PILs highlight traffic congestion, unauthorised roadside parking and alleged commercial use of parking spaces by hospitals in the area.
During an earlier hearing, the court had directed traffic police to file a detailed affidavit on the measures taken to address the problem. The affidavit submitted on Tuesday listed recent action against encroachments and illegal parking.