Make one arterial road user-friendly, says High Court

The High Court on Friday directed the State government and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to make at least one arterial road in the City user-friendly, in order to reduce noise pollution.

Hearing a suo motu petition, a division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice R B Budihal directed that a road should be ready by next hearing date, later this month.

“Ensure the roads on either side are free of obstructions, hawkers if any be removed as per the Karnataka Municipal Act. If such steps are taken, pollution will automatically be reduced. Photographs along with the work done should be filed.”

The directions came after the counsel for the BBMP submitted an action taken report for reducing suspended particulate materials (SPM) and respiratory suspended particulate material (RSPM) in the City's atmosphere.

The chief justice suggested the Palike to clean up atleast one road in each ward. “Ensure that the roads are free from potholes, no open drainage, proper management of parking, prevent buses from stopping in middle of roads and better traffic management.”

The counsel for Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation submitted that the drivers were being educated against stopping buses in the middle of the road and indiscriminate honking. Amicus curiae Vidyullatha and counsel for the KSPCB pointed out that haphazard parking in the City was leading to noise pollution.

When details of the pollution levels was submitted, the bench expressed its surprise over the data  and said that pollution was high everywhere except industrial areas, where the level is stable. “So Peenya is best place in the City today," the bench said in a lighter vein.