CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has dismissed a PIL against installation of overhead and mobile barricades on a road in Sector-10 of Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) area, observing that the measures were intended to ensure public safety and reduce road accidents.
The division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman observed that road accidents have become a major cause of fatalities and that authorities are duty-bound to adopt preventive measures. The bench emphasised that policy decisions taken by government departments based on empirical data and aimed at benefitting a larger section of society should not ordinarily be interfered with by courts.
The PIL was filed by four residents of CDA Khageswar Sethi, Manoj Kumar Pati, Manoranjan Dash,and Susree Sangita Ratha. During the hearing, Pati, who is the president of the puja committee of CDA Sector-10, appeared in person and alleged that the barricades had caused complete blockage of the road, narrowed its width, and restricted the movement of buses and emergency vehicles. He submitted that ambulances could not pass through the road during emergencies due to the barriers.
The petition sought immediate removal of both permanent overhead and mobile barricades and urged the court to direct authorities to ensure free, safe and unhindered movement of citizens and emergency service vehicles. It also demanded action against those responsible for the alleged unauthorised obstruction.
Additional government advocate Sanjeeb Kumar Swain, representing the state, and senior advocate Dayananda Mohapatra, appearing for the CDA authorities, informed the court that the barricades did not obstruct ambulances or city buses. They clarified that the purpose of the overhead barriers was to prevent heavy-loaded vehicles from entering the residential locality at high speed, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and safeguarding lives and property.
After taking note of the submissions and examining the matter, the bench observed that the mobile barricades appeared to be temporary in nature and were commonly used to slow down speeding vehicles in residential areas. It observed that the locality was a densely inhabited residential zone and the safety of residents, especially children crossing roads for school, playgrounds and markets was of paramount importance.