Meghalaya High Court
PIL/6/2017 on 26 February, 2018
Bench: Chief Justice, S.R. Sen
1
BEFORE
HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE S.R. SEN
PIL NO. 6 OF 2017
26.02.2018
In terms of our order dated 19.02.2018, an affidavit of compliance
has been filed by the Executive Engineer, PWD today, which was taken
on record. The work for painting of Zebra Crossings at Kachari Point
near DC's Office, Exit Gate to Main Secretariat, in front of SBI Main
Branch, IGP Point near SP's Office, Shillong Bar Association near High
Court and Entrance Gate to Main Secretariat Office has been done, and
therefore, the Executive Engineer contends that there has been a
substantial compliance of the order of the Court. Learned counsel for
the respondents also submitted that in view of the aforesaid compliance
affidavit, the prayer made in the writ petition has now been set at rest and the matter can be consigned to the records.
We however, find that the issue relating to Zebra Crossings should not be confined to the points raised by the petitioner in his petition. In our opinion, the issue is required to be enlarged. We find that the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District respondent No. 4 in his affidavit-in-opposition has also indicated 43 points where Zebra Crossing marks are required to be painted in the city of Shillong. In our opinion, these Zebra Crossings should also be done on a priority basis. We grant six weeks' time to the PWD to do the needful and paint these 43 Zebra Crossings, which has been indicated in paragraph 19 of the affidavit-in-opposition of the Superintendent of Police dated 26.09.2017 and to file an affidavit of compliance along with photographs.
We also direct the Superintendent of Police to hold an awareness drive and educate the general public and drivers of two-wheelers and four-wheelers about the importance of Zebra Crossings and the manner in which the pedestrians should be allowed to walk on the Zebra Crossings. Such awareness drive should be held in various areas of Shillong in the next six weeks. The Superintendent of Police will file an 2 affidavit of compliance also. We also direct the Public Works Department to also paint and put appropriate markings wherever speed breakers have been installed on the roads within the same period.
List on 20.04.2018.
The presence of the Executive Engineer, PWD (Roads) is dispensed with and is no longer required to appear on the next date.
JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE
Sylvana
Item No. 1