HC asks police to look into traffic restrictions

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Tuesday directed the police to look into traffic restrictions on Kalindi Kunj-shaheen Bagh stretch, which has been closed for a month due to protests against the amended Citizenship Act, while keeping in mind the larger public interest.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar asked the police to look into the issue while also keeping in mind that law and order is maintained.

The court passed the order while disposing of a PIL filed by advocate and social activist Amit Sahni seeking a direction to the Delhi Police Commissioner to lift restrictions on Kalindi KunjShaheen Bagh stretch and Okhla underpass, which were closed on December 15, 2019 for ongoing protests against CAA and National Register of Citizen (NRC). It was a temporary measure but has been extended from time to time.

The Kalindi Kunj stretch is vital as it connects Delhi, Faridabad (Haryana) and Noida (Uttar

Pradesh) and commuters are forced to take the Delhi-noidaDelhi (DND) Expressway and Ashram, which is causing hours of traffic jams and wastage of time and fuel, the plea said. The court said: “We hereby direct the concerned respondent authority (police) to look into the restrictions on usage of road -- Kalindi Kunj- Shaheen Bagh Stretch, that is, Road No. 13 A (between Mathura Road and Kalindi Kunj) as well as Okhla underpass, in accordance with law, rules, regulations and the government policy.” It further asked the authorities to look into the issue keeping in mind “larger public interest” and also maintenance of “law and order” situation. The court refused however to direct the authorities to look into the issue in a time bound manner. During the hearing, Sahni said the road closure is causing huge inconvenience to lakhs of commuters everyday and they are compelled to take different routes for last one month.

He said children, who take that route, are compelled to leave home two hours prior to school timing.