High Court bans overtaking by private buses in city
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: DC/File)
kochi: In a major order, the Kerala high Court on Monday banned overtaking by buses plying in the city for a period of two months. The court observed that considering the Metro rail work and the pathetic condition of roads in Kochi city, the Road Transport Officer and the Asst Commissioner of Police should ensure that buses are not allowed to overtake during the period. The court also asked the District Collector to take immediate steps to fill all the potholes in the city on a war-footing within three weeks.
Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque issued the directive while considering a plea filed by P Rengadasa Prabhu, president of the Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council.
The court made it clear that if any violation was committed, necessary action would be taken against the operators of the buses including cancellation of the permit,” the court held. The court posted the hearing of the cases to August 26.
The court directed the District Collector to see to it that the life of citizens in the city was not endangered on account of the pathetic condition of the road. The Court also made DMRC, KMRL, Police department and Assistant commissioner of police, traffic as parties in the plea.
Counsel for the petitioner Sivan Madathil argued that the roads in Kochi city were in a dilapidated condition with large potholes. The present situation was worsened by the ongoing Metro Rail construction activities undertaken by the Kochi Metro Rail Corporation (KMRL) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
The Public Works Department submitted that the repair works had been carried out by different agencies, joint inspection was carried out by KMRL, KMRL, KWA, Kochi corporation and NH authorities to overcome the situation.
It was decided to carry out the repair works immediately on a war-footing on availability of stone aggregates. The DMRC and KMRL had agreed that the rectification works would be carried out immediately in the parts of the roads which had been used for metro rail construction. Kochi corporation meanwhile submitted that they had taken measures to overcome the situation.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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