The Madhya Pradesh High Court has voiced serious concern over the worsening traffic conditions in Indore and stressed the need for imposing heavy penalties to instil traffic discipline among citizens. The court remarked that just as strict enforcement and fines had successfully fostered a civic sense regarding cleanliness, similar measures must now be applied to traffic management.
The division bench comprising Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Binod Kumar Dwivedi made these observations while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by ‘Rajlakshmi Foundation’, a social organisation that highlighted the city’s deteriorating traffic system.
Top administrative and police officials, including Indore District Magistrate Ashish Singh, Indore Municipal Commissioner Shivam Verma, and City Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh, were present in court during the hearing.
Justice Rusia drew parallels between the successful Swachh Bharat (cleanliness) efforts and the need for similar initiatives in traffic enforcement. “Civic sense has developed in your state regarding cleanliness because earlier you imposed heavy fines and no court interfered. Why should not the same method be applied in the traffic system?” he questioned.
The bench also highlighted ongoing violations, such as triple riding on two-wheelers without helmets and indiscriminate vehicle parking. “These problems will not go away until such people are fined heavily,” the court asserted.
To aid in improving the city’s traffic conditions, the High Court appointed Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava as amicus curiae in the case. Bhargava, who formerly served as Additional Advocate General in the High Court, emphasised the need for clearer regulations, especially concerning e-rickshaw operations, in line with central and state transport policies.
The petitioner was represented by senior advocate Ajay Bagaria, while Bhuvan Gautam appeared on behalf of the state government and Indore Municipal Corporation.
