In a recent judgment, the Delhi High Court has rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that called for the construction of a foot over bridge or an underpass near the National Zoological Park on Mathura Road, or alternatively, the installation of a traffic light at the Sher Shah Road intersection.
The bench, led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, stated that decisions on traffic management and infrastructure development should be left to experts and planners, thus deeming the plea outside the scope of judicial intervention.
The petitioner argued that the absence of a traffic light on Mathura Road made pedestrian movement challenging, particularly because the nearest foot over bridge is located far from the most frequented areas near Sundar Nagar. However, the court noted that an integrated plan has already been approved by both the Government of India and Delhi government agencies. This plan includes the construction of tunnels, underpasses, and foot over bridges aimed at making the area signal-free.
Originally, the plan proposed two foot over bridges—one at the Zoo Crossing and another near Gate No. 6 of Bharat Mandapam. After review, only the bridge near the petrol pump at Zoo was given the green light due to its necessity and feasibility, while the second proposal was shelved based on the proximity of protected archaeological structures.
The court emphasized the importance of adhering to expert planning and feasibility studies when deciding on such projects. “Court’s interference in the planning decisions like keeping certain stretches traffic light free is generally unwarranted,” the bench mentioned.
Additionally, the Public Works Department has implemented alternative safety measures on the roads, such as zebra crossings, road studs, and signage, to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
