Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday orally instructed the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA) to conduct a survey of selected roads in Ahmedabad to prepare a report on traffic violations and illegal, haphazard parking near eateries, shopping centers, and other busy areas. The court observed that the public often treats breaking traffic laws as a “matter of right.”

The directions came during the hearing of a 2019 contempt petition concerning alleged non-compliance with earlier High Court orders issued in a 2017 PIL on traffic management. The remarks were made after submissions by Government Pleader G.H. Virk and petitioner’s advocate Amit Panchal.

The Division Bench, comprising Justice A.S. Supehia and Justice L.S. Pirzada, directed the GSLSA to survey key stretches including SG Highway, CG Road, Stadium Road, Judges Bungalow Road, Dudheshwar Road (Vadaj Circle to Delhi Darwaza), and the stretch from Navrangpura Cross Road to the High Court. The survey is to record traffic violations such as illegal parking, parking near restaurants, shopping centers, party plots, and wrong-side driving.

The court ordered that the survey be conducted after Diwali, from October 29 to November 7, with the report submitted to the respective parties’ advocates ahead of the next hearing on November 12.

During the proceedings, Justice Supehia highlighted ongoing violations by two-wheelers, noting that despite some reduction in four-wheeler violations, two-wheelers continued to flout rules. He said, “I personally calculated—during 180 minutes, there were seven violations by two-wheelers. I have also noticed that number plates are camouflaged. TRB (traffic brigade) jawans are present, but they don’t get the opportunity to note down the numbers because of the camouflage. That was at one signal; imagine what is happening across Ahmedabad.” He further remarked on the dedication of traffic officers and the public’s disregard for traffic laws.

Government Pleader Virk assured the court that authorities would intensify enforcement and reported improvements in traffic discipline after wrong-side driving deterrents were implemented, citing smooth traffic clearance after a film award show at 2 a.m. and better road behavior during Navratri.

The High Court also asked the government to explore a policy for parking outside eateries, noting that vehicles were occupying roughly a quarter of the roads. The court suggested either regulating such parking to generate revenue or removing the encroachments entirely. DeshGujarat