The Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench) has directed the impleadment of six prominent educational institutions in Lucknow as respondents in a Public Interest Litigation concerning civic and traffic issues. The Court has summoned the Principals or Senior Administrative Officers of these schools to appear in person on January 19, 2026, to explain the steps taken to manage traffic congestion around their campuses.
In the matter of Gomti River Bank Residents vs. State of U.P., the Division Bench comprising Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Brij Raj Singh addressed the persistent issue of traffic jams caused during school hours. The Court observed that despite previous efforts and directions, certain institutions failed to take ameliorative steps, causing suffering to the public at large. Consequently, the Court directed that La Martinière Girls’ College, Loreto Convent, three branches of City Montessori School (CMS), and Seth M.R. Jaipuria School be made parties to the proceedings.
Background and Submissions
The order was passed during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 3436 of 2020) filed by the Gomti River Bank Residents.
During the proceedings, Mr. Abhinav Bhattacharya, learned Amicus Curiae, and Mr. Sudeep Kumar, Additional Advocate General (AAG) for the State of U.P., jointly informed the Court that they have been regularly engaging with various institutions to improve the traffic situation, particularly during school opening and closing hours.
The Court was informed that while some schools have complied with directions resulting in drastic improvements, others have failed to act. The counsels submitted that:
“Certain institutions have failed to take any steps to ameliorate the traffic situation.”
A joint prayer was made to implead these specific institutions to ensure they are given an opportunity of hearing before further orders are passed.
Court’s Observations and Analysis
The Bench noted the submission that despite efforts by the Amicus Curiae and the State Government, the identified institutions had not taken necessary steps to improve the traffic situation. The Court observed:
“Due to which, the public at large is suffering.”
Acknowledging the necessity of the schools’ participation in the legal process, the Court allowed the request to make them respondents.
The Impleaded Institutions
The following six institutions have been directed to be added as respondents:
- La Martinière Girls’ College, Hazratganj, Lucknow
- Loreto Convent, Gautampalli, Lucknow
- City Montessori School, Gomti Nagar (Vishal Khand), Lucknow
- City Montessori School, Gomti Nagar Extension Campus, Lucknow
- City Montessori School, Station Road, Lucknow
- Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow
Directions Issued
The High Court issued specific directions to the newly impleaded institutions:
- Review Previous Orders: The institutions are required to go through previous directions of the Court, specifically the order passed on August 23, 2024, which contains various suggestions for traffic management.
- Personal Appearance: The Court directed that on the next date of listing, January 19, 2026, “the Principal/Senior Faculty or Administrative Officer of the schools concerned shall be present in this Court.”
- Action Plan: The school representatives must inform the Court of the steps taken regarding the traffic situation and provide suggestions for improvement.
The Bench clarified that, in the first instance, it is leaving it to the institutions to improve the situation on their own. However, the Court warned:
“Failing which directions will be issued by this Court as required and suggested by the State Authorities and learned Amicus after studying the entire traffic situation in and around the particular schools.”
Other Developments
Additionally, Mr. Sudeep Kumar, AAG, informed the Court on the basis of written instructions that provisions already exist in the terms and conditions for engaging agencies to inspect schools regarding compliance with court directions. Therefore, no new clause was required to be inserted.
The Court also took on record a report filed by the Amicus Curiae in compliance with the order dated March 5, 2025, and the minutes of the meeting.
Case Details:
- Case Title: Gomti River Bank Residents Thru. Secy. Mr. Girdhar Gopal vs. State Of U.P. Through Prin. Secy. Housing And Urban Dev. And Ors.
- Case Number: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No. 3436 of 2020
- Coram: Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Brij Raj Singh
- Counsel for Petitioner: Devak Vardhan, Abhinav Bhattacharya (Amicus Curiae)
- Counsel for Respondents: C.S.C., Akhilesh Kumar Kalra, Anand Kumar Kaushal, Chandra Bhushan Pandey, Raj Kumar Singh, Ratnesh Chandra, Shailendra Singh Chauhan, Siddharth Lal Vaish, Sudhanshu Chauhan, Tushar Mittal, Vinay Singh
