Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Tuesday pulled up traffic police over persistent parking problems and congestion woes in Dhantoli, observing that repeated enforcement drives were no substitute for a lasting solution.Hearing two PILs (Nos. 65/2012 and 52/2017) filed by Dhantoli Nagrik Mandal, a division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Raj Dhanuka questioned effectiveness of the action against unauthorised parking and encroachments.Deputy commissioner of police (Traffic) Aditya Mirkhelkar was present in the court.The PILs highlight traffic congestion, unauthorised roadside parking and alleged commercial use of parking spaces by hospitals in the area. High court has issued directions on the issue since 2012, but the problems have persisted over the years.During an earlier hearing, the court had directed traffic police to file a detailed affidavit on the measures taken to address the problem. The affidavit submitted on Tuesday listed recent action against encroachments and illegal parking.The bench, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the measures, making it clear that short-term enforcement cannot resolve a problem that repeatedly resurfaces. “You might take action now, but within an hour, the same situation will arise again in Dhantoli,” the court remarked orally.The court directed the authorities to effectively implement revised traffic notification issued on July 16, 2024. The notification provides for one-way traffic, no-parking zones and designated P-1 and P-2 parking arrangements in the area.The bench stressed that these provisions, particularly one-way system and regulated parking, must be implemented effectively to address Dhantoli’s long-standing traffic and parking problems.Advocates Ashutosh Dharmadhikari and Ashwin Deshpande appeared for the petitioner. Jemini Kasat represented Nagpur Municipal Corporation and additional govt pleader Deepak Thakare appeared for the state.
