City’s traffic is priority for us, says high court

Traffic is going to be the top-most priority for the court, said the Bombay high court on Thursday. Mohan K Korappath reports.

Traffic is going to be the top-most priority for the court, said the Bombay high court on Thursday.

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A division bench of justice PB Majmudar and justice RM Sawant made this observation while hearing a petition filed by Clear Channel Mumbai Pvt Ltd, which is challenging the revocation of its no objection certificate (NOC) for advertisements on traffic pedestals in the city.

The petitioners had an NOC for advertising on 86 traffic pedestals in the city. The firm was paying charges to the civic body for the advertisements.

The traffic police had stated that they were revoking the licence because of an increase in traffic. “For us. traffic is top most priority in the city,” justice Majmudar said. “How we shudder to go out in the evening,” justice Sawant said.

Counsels Pravin Samdani and Zubin Behramkamdin, appearing for the petitioner, pointed out to the court that in 2008, an affidavit filed by the joint secretary (Home) and deputy commissioner of police (Traffic) in an earlier PIL said traffic pedestals are necessary for effective regulation of traffic.

The petitioners said their licence was valid till June 2015. Without any intimation or hearing, however, the MMRDA issued an order informing that the joint commissioner of police (Traffic) has withdrawn their NOC, the petition said.

The court has now directed the home department to file an affidavit spelling out why there is no need for pedestals and kiosks by September 22. The case will be heard on September 29.