Follow traffic rules or face heavier fines: HC to Dhantoli residents

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Monday orally directed residents of the Dhantoli area to give a written undertaking that they would comply with traffic and parking regulations, warning that violations could invite higher penalties.A division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode granted 1 week to the Dhantoli Citizens' Association to submit the undertaking, observing that residents seeking relief from the court must themselves adhere to the law.
The directives were issued during the hearing of 2 PILs (No. 65/2012 & 52/2017) filed by the Dhantoli Nagrik Mandal through advocates Ashutosh Dharmadhikari and Ashwin Deshpande. The petitions highlight long-standing civic concerns, including traffic congestion and illegal parking in the Dhantoli and Ramdaspeth areas.The bench noted that despite repeated judicial directives since 2012 to streamline traffic management and regulate parking, the problem of encroachments and improper parking remained unresolved.Earlier, the court directed that hospitals failing to follow parking norms in the locality could face penalties up to 4 times the prescribed amount. During the latest hearing, however, the judges observed that residents who approached the court over civic problems were themselves not consistently complying with traffic rules.Emphasising that legal obligations apply equally to all, the court orally observed that "the law applies equally to everyone," and said residents must ensure strict adherence to traffic and parking norms.The bench further remarked that the HC spent considerable time over the years addressing issues raised by Dhantoli residents and expected them to demonstrate the same seriousness in following the rules.Accordingly, the petitioners were directed to submit an undertaking stating that residents will follow all applicable regulations governing traffic movement and parking in the locality.The court also said that a committee earlier constituted by it would conduct inspections in the area. Any resident found violating the prescribed norms would be liable to pay fines as determined by the court.During the proceedings, the bench also expressed displeasure over the manner in which the Nagpur Municipal Corporation implemented earlier directions regarding parking enforcement.The civic body was instructed to issue notices to those encroaching upon parking spaces reserved for hospitals in Dhantoli and Ramdaspeth. However, instead of restricting action to hospital-related encroachments, the corporation issued notices to several establishments across the locality.Following complaints from affected shopkeepers, the judges clarified that its earlier order applied specifically to hospitals and encroachments related to their parking spaces, and not to all businesses in the area. The matter was posted for further hearing on March 17.