The High Court of Punjab & Haryana has directed the Chandigarh administration to devise a new and comprehensive traffic management plan for the High Court premises. The decision comes in response to a plea filed by Vinod Dhatterwal, Secretary of the Punjab & Haryana High Court Employees Association, seeking intervention on the judicial side to address infrastructure inadequacies and manage the increasing footfall within the High Court premises.

A High Court Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal, emphasized the need for an officer with specialized expertise in traffic management to be assigned this task. The Bench has instructed that an officer of at least the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) with experience in traffic planning be appointed to prepare the new traffic management plan. The Court also permitted the traffic experts to consider various suggestions, including the widening of roads, removal or modification of dividers, and the proposal of new or additional routes for entry and exit.

The plea by the High Court Employees Association highlighted the urgent need for a holistic development plan for the High Court complex, including the construction of multi-storey buildings to provide additional space. The petition pointed out that the existing infrastructure has not kept pace with the increasing number of visitors and vehicles, leading to severe congestion, particularly during peak hours between 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

During the hearing, one suggestion discussed was the implementation of a one-way system for entry and exit to the premises. However, the Court expressed concerns regarding the feasibility of this proposal, citing the high volume of four-wheelers and two-wheelers, which is reported to be around 3,000 during peak periods. The Court indicated that a single-entry road might not be a viable solution under the current circumstances.

In addition to traffic management, the High Court directed the Survey of India to conduct a physical demarcation to determine the extent of any overlap between the High Court premises and the Sukhna Lake catchment area. This step is crucial to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and to address any potential conflicts between the infrastructure development of the court and the ecological conservation efforts.

Furthermore, addressing security concerns, the Bench ordered that litigants should be allowed entry to the High Court premises exclusively through Gate Number 3. The Court directed the Registrar General to enforce this directive, effectively prohibiting the entry of litigants from Gates 1, 2, 4, and 5, effective from August 29. This measure aims to enhance security protocols within the High Court complex and streamline access for litigants.

The Court’s directive underscores the need for a strategic approach to manage the increasing traffic and footfall in the High Court premises while balancing infrastructural development with environmental and security considerations. The implementation of a new traffic management plan is expected to alleviate congestion, enhance security, and ensure a more orderly flow of vehicles and pedestrians within the High Court complex.

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